Former Priest In Sex Scandal Dies

DENVER -- The man at the center of the priest sex abuse scandal in Denver has passed away.

Former priest Harold Robert White, 73, had a heart attack while vacationing in Cancun, Mexico.

White is accused of molesting boys over three decades in parishes all over the state. White is named as the co-defendant in more than half of the 26 lawsuits filed against the Denver archdiocese. Thirty people altogether have sued the archdiocese, claiming White or the late Rev. Leonard Abercrombie sexually abused them.

According to the Denver Post, White may have admitted to some but not all of the claims in talking with a close reverend. Rev. Patrick Kennedy, who is retired, said White admitted to him that some but not all of the claims against him were true and that he was sorry, the Post reported in Thursday's edition.

The archdiocese removed White from public ministry in 1993.

Four men who filed lawsuits against the archdiocese settled for up to $150,000 apiece after they went through mediation.

Archdiocese spokeswoman Jeanette DeMelo said some other cases are still in mediation.