N.Y. CATHOLIC DIOCESES SUBPOENAED

New York’s Attorney General subpoenaed all eight Roman Catholic dioceses in the state Thursday as part of a broadening civil investigation into the handling of sex abuse allegations by church leaders.

The subpoenas seek documents relating to abuse allegations, payments to victims or findings from internal church investigations, according to a law enforcement source familiar with the investigation but not authorized to speak publicly.

Church leaders vowed to work with Barbara Underwood’s (pictured) civil investigation. Underwood’s office also announced a hotline for individuals to call to report allegations of clergy abuse, as well as a confidential online complaint form.