New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood has subpoenaed documents from all eight Roman Catholic dioceses in the state as part of a civil investigation into the handling of sex abuse allegations and has contacted local prosecutors authorized to convene grand juries or pursue criminal investigations.
An official familiar with the investigation but not authorized to speak publicly told The Associated Press the subpoenas went out yesterday.
They seek documents related to the allegations, payments to victims or findings from internal church investigations.
Underwood has also announced a clergy-abuse hotline for victims or anyone with information.
New Jersey has announced it will launch its own investigation into sex abuse by clergy members.
Church officials say they will cooperate.
