NBC’s Jim Cummins has sued the Archdiocese of Dubuque

Mr. Cummins, chief of NBC News’ Southwest Bureau, was an altar boy and high school basketball star in Cedar Rapids. In the summer of 1962, when he was 17, he was abused by three priests, he said in his lawsuit.

One of those he accused, the Rev. William Roach, died in a car accident in 1986, according to papers filed by the diocese. By that time, he had been promoted to monsignor. Mr. Cummins’ lawsuit does not identify the other two priests.

Mr. Cummins’ suit said Father Roach assaulted him twice, each time joined by a different priest. After fending off the second attack, the suit said, he told his parents, who then told Father Roach’s supervisor. According to the lawsuit, Father Roach remained at the church and in contact with boys until he was transferred in 1967.

The suit said Mr. Cummins suffered a "major panic attack" and was hospitalized in 1965 and said the abuse has left him with lifelong psychological problems.

The diocese said it has no record of any complaints about Father Roach until after the priest’s death.