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BPD investigated Msgr Craig Harrison in 2002 but determined allegations unfounded

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — BPD revealed Friday the department investigated allegations of inappropriate contact between Monsignor Craig and several teens, but said the allegations were determined unfounded.

The department said in 2002, it investigated an anonymous letter and third-party allegations of inappropriate contact between Monsignor Craig and several teens.

23ABC has asked Bakersfield Police numerous times if they've ever investigated Monsignor Harrison since a man came forward on April 12, but BPD said they have not.

According to BPD after completing a check of computerized department records dating back to 2003, BPD says it showed no such investigations. But after the department acted on information received from retired BPD detectives it conducted an exhaustive manual search of hard copy records from prior years.

That search revealed one prior incident dated back to April 2002 involving Monsignor Harrison.

None of the parties contacted during this investigation claimed to have direct knowledge of any inappropriate behavior by Monsignor Harrison. All juveniles named in the allegations were contacted and denied any improper conduct. Detectives determined these allegations to have been unfounded and the case was closed in May 2002.

The Bakersfield Police Department says it has communicated with other law enforcement agencies regarding their ongoing investigations.

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