Rev. Thomas Haggerty of St. Raphael's Church in East Meadow was warned numerous times about the inappropriate behavior of a youth minister, witnesses told the court Thursday.

Matthew Maiello, the youth minister, pleaded guilty to rape and sodomy in 2003 and served more than two years in prison.

"He should have been either supervised by an adult member of the staff or he should have been removed," Elena Sanchez, one of at least six witnesses in the case, said of Maiello.

Sanchez said she approached Haggerty about Maiello's conduct with some of the teens, but no action was taken. Other witnesses testified with similar accounts.

Two of Maiello's victims are suing Haggerty, St. Raphael's Church and the Diocese of Rockville Centre for $150 million for purportedly neglecting to take action despite receiving complaints and warnings.

Related Information: Diocese of Rockville Centre neglect lawsuit goes to trial