SNAP Leader Loses Suit Against Diocese

North County Gazette, New York/June 19, 2006

Albany ---The co-director of the Albany Chapter of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) has had his $5 million lawsuit against the Albany Roman Catholic Diocese and Bishop Howard Hubbard dismissed.

A Boston judge dismissed the claims brought by Mark Lyman of Stillwater against the church in 2004, Lyman claimed that he was abused as a boy by the Rev. Frank Genevive in the late 1970s and early 1980s at St. Anthony's Church in Troy, in Schenectady and in Massachusetts, including at a seminary in Lowell, Mass.

Lyman had claimed that Bishop Hubbard had allowed Genevive to continue in his position while knowing that Genevive had abused children. According to the Diocese, no evidence was found to support Lyman's claim and the Diocese had no responsibility for the priest. Lyman has said he will appeal.

In April, Lyman was arrested and charged with violating a court order which restrains him and other protesters from being within 100 feet of the Holy Cross Church in Albany.

Lyman was charged with a misdemeanor by Albany Police during Palm Sunday services. He pleaded not guilty and filed a $5 million lawsuit against the Diocese and Albany Police Department.

Lyman, who is employed as a facilities planner with the state Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services, has been investigated by the state Inspector General's office for his alleged misuse of a state computer for sending an angry email to The North Country Gazette in April following a report of his arrest. The matter was referred to the IG's office by Shari Noonan, acting OASAS commissioner.

According to Joseph Flynn, chief investigator at OSIG, following a review by the IG's office, the matter has been referred to the Management Resources and Quality Assurance Division of OASAS. 6-19-06