GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is asking for $2 million from the state Legislature for her office's investigation into sexually abusive Roman Catholic priests.
The money would come from the $5.2 million the state got for its share of the nationwide $575 millionWells Fargo & Company settlementin January, said AG spokeswoman Kelly Rossman-McKinney.
"We're basing it (the request) on how much it took to do the MSU investigation" into sports medicine doctor Larry Nassar, Rossman-McKinney said. "This is larger in terms of depth and breadth."
The AG's office in Augustlaunched an investigationinto clergy abuse at the state's seven Catholic dioceses. It was prompted by thePennsylvania grand jury investigationthat found 300 priests had molested 1,000 children over decades in that state.
By mid-February, the Michigan AG had received 270 tips. ATarget 8 investigation last monthinto abuse by Catholic priests in the Grand Rapids Diocese led to about three dozen new tips, the AG's office said.
Target 8identified 14 priests who had abused 33 childrensince the late 1950s. Some of the offenders are still living in West Michigan,collecting pensions along with other benefitsfrom the church.
Since Nessel held aFeb. 21 news conferenceabout the statewide investigation, her office has received about 50 more tips, bringing the total number to 360, Rossman-McKinney said. The AG has said there could be as many as 1,000 victims and survivors in Michigan.
"It's very clear to usthere will be criminal charges(against priests)," Rossman-McKinney said, t
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