Wisconsin AG launches clergy sexual abuse probe

Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul has launched an investigation into clergy sexual assault across the state’s five Catholic dioceses.

Kaul announced the investigation Tuesday.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported last week that an investigation was imminent.

Clergy sexual abuse survivors and their allies have long demanded that Kaul open an investigation.

Officials in at least 22 other states have opened similar investigations into sexual misconduct within church hierarchies.

Kaul declined to discuss his investigators’ strategies but said if they uncover new cases they will refer them to prosecutors.

Officials with the Archdiocese of Milwaukee say they’re concerned the probe could re-victimize survivors.