Rev. John Gallagher sued the Palm Beach Diocese for libel, saying he was punished for successfully exposing a visiting priest as a pedophile rather than covering it up.

The lawsuit, filed January 11th, 2017 in Palm Beach Circuit Court, accuses the Diocese of orchestrating a cover-up and campaign of intimidation, slander and libel directed at Father Gallagher and thereby effectively destroying his ability to remain a priest. The suit seeks compensatory and punitive damages.

The lawsuit, filed by attorney Ted Babbitt, founding partner of Babbitt & Johnson, PA. said: “Plaintiff was damaged in his reputation and his livelihood, and his ability to serve in his chosen profession as a priest has been greatly diminished or eliminated. These defamations will live forever on the Internet and will follow Plaintiff throughout his life. “

Read the full press release here.