KATC has learned at least one more person has come forward with allegations of sexual abuse against Rev. Jody Simoneaux.
“My family took Jody in our house between semester breaks when he was studying for his priesthood,” the accuser says. “It was then, in my bedroom late at night, when he first touched me inappropriately – I was a young kid 11,12, 13 years old.”
The accuser says the alleged abuse continued after Simoneaux was ordained. KATC does not identify alleged victims of sexual abuse.
The accuser says he reported the allegation to the diocese one day after seeing reports that Simoneaux was placed on leave. The diocese has not announced the new allegations against Simoneaux, as it has done in the past– for example when a second woman came forward with allegations against Msgr. Robie Robichaux, the diocese issued a news release.
E-mails provided by the accuser show he alerted the diocese on November 2, 2018, one day after the initial allegations against Simoneaux were announced.
“I want to thank you for coming forward and making the report about Father Jody Simoneaux,” Msgr. Curtis Mallet wrote in an e-mail. “ It took a great deal of courage, and as I told you, you are helping others by your bravery. Again, I am so very sorry for any hurt that you suffered.”
In the e-mail, Mallet says he asked the diocesan attorney to report the allegation to police. Records show the attorney for the diocese contacted Rayne Police the same day. A supplemental report filed on November 19 shows the case was closed because the statute of limitations had expired.
The accuser says the diocese offered to pay for counseling, which he agreed to- but two months later, he says he has not heard back from the diocese.
“I feel unimportant to their investigation and they don’t care about my wellness,” he said. “If they did care I would have been contacted on a regular basis – asking how I’m doing, if I need more help!”
