Del. attorney general confirms clergy abuse probe

DOVER, Del. (AP) - Delaware's Department of Justice has confirmed that it is investigating potential criminal conduct by priests or other personnel of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington.

Officials said Thursday that the investigation has focused on acquiring and reviewing diocesan papers for records of sexual abuse or other abuse.

As part of the investigation, authorities issued a subpoena on Sept. 11 for a wide range of diocesan records spanning a period of decades.

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Delaware authorities previously reviewed some records provided by the diocese from 2002 to 2004. They issued the recent subpoena in light of the disclosures of clergy abuse investigations in other states, including neighboring Pennsylvania and Maryland.

Bob Krebs, a spokesman for the diocese, did not immediately return a phone message Thursday.

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