LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / August 21, 1999

NORCO – Six additional counts of molestation of a juvenile and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile have been added to the charges against Brian Matherne by the St. Charles Sheriff’s Office.The charges involving two additional alleged victims, ages 12 and 13.

Capt. Patrick Yoes said the investigation is continuing, and more peoplehave come forward claiming to have been victims of Matherne.

Sheriff Greg Champagne added that one of alleged victims claimed his molestations occurred in 1994, and the other charges date from 1998.

Three weeks ago, on Aug. 5, Matherne was arrested and charged withvarious sex crimes against nine children, ranging in age from 11 to 17. Thecrimes allegedly occurred during the past 13 years.

At the time of his arrest he was booked with 300 counts of molestation of a juvenile, 60 counts of sexual battery, 30 counts of oral sexual battery, 10 counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile, nine counts of contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile and two counts of carnal knowledge of a juvenile.

The alleged crimes took place during Matherne’s 20-year tenure as a coach and teacher at Sacred Heart Elementary School in Norco. Matherne hasdenied all charges, and he remains in custody with a $1.5 million bond setby 29th Judicial District Judge Robert Chaisson.

The Archdiocese of New Orleans first received reports of the alleged molestation last year but did not report the claims to the sheriff’s office.

Champagne says now he has “no interest” in talking with the Archdiocese about the charges.

Thomas Finney, spokesman for the Archdiocese, said the Archdiocese first learned of the allegations against Matherne in late February from the father of one alleged victim, now 24.

The first victim to come forward reportedly revealed the incidents while in psychiatric counseling, where the alleged molestations, the last of which allegedly took place five or six years ago, were discussed.

That information was later relayed to the family, who first called the Archdiocese.

Auxiliary Bishop Gregory Aymond attempted to investigate the claim when it was first made but, Finney added, was unable to interview the man.

The sheriff’s office was not notified, Finney continued, as no children had come forward to make complaints and the Archdiocese’s investigation was inconclusive.

Champagne said he was personally contacted by the father of the first victim. He assigned investigators to the case, and their efforts turned upeight other alleged victims. None of the alleged molestations apparentlytook place on school or church property.

Police searches at Matherne’s residence and at an Airline Highway fishing camp he frequently used for overnight stays turned up various sexually explicit material. None of the material examined so far includes any of thealleged victims, according to the sheriff’s office.

The Archdiocese newspaper, the Clarion-Herald, reported Wednesday a re- evaluation of the procedure used in the Archdiocesan investigation. Theprocedure used since 1993 has been that if allegations of abuse or neglect of a juvenile are reported, it would be immediately passed along to the civil authorities. However, since it was an “old allegation,” it wasimportant for Bishop Aymond to personally speak with the alleged victim in person.

The victim’s father, meanwhile reported the same allegations to the Rev.

John Marse, pastor at Sacred Heart.

The Clarion-Herald quoted Aymond: “The pastor was very surprised because Brian had been teaching 20-something years and was well- respected at school, in church and in the community. There had never beenany accusations before, and it was publicly known by the hunting club members that he brought boys there. But so did other members of the club.That was not unusual. Another member who frequented the camp regularlysaid to us that he was totally unaware of any inappropriate behavior.”Aymond commented as well: “Legally, we were caught between protecting children, which is our absolute responsibility, and being careful with the reputation of a teacher, a good teacher, who had been well respected.”Members of the Archdiocesan Crisis Intervention Team met with the Sacred Heart faculty, and a private meeting was held with parents Monday night.

Archdiocesan attorney Don Richard said several parents were “very, very vocal” at that meeting about the allegations not being reported sooner to the police. Richard asserted there was no cover-up by the Archdiocese.

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