Former youth minister Matthew Maiello testified during cross-examination Wednesday that he and his victims did everything they could to hide their inappropriate relationship from the clergy.

Jurors were shown pictures of Maiello with a female victim and her family as he described how he was invited to family celebrations, her Sweet 16 party and other social events.

Maiello said he didn't tell Rev. Thomas Haggerty, of St. Raphael's Catholic Church in East Meadow, about how involved he was with the victims and their families. "I knew if I did, they would tell me I was getting too close to them," Maiello said.

Maiello, who served more than two years in prison for rape and sodomy, was the youth minister at St. Raphael's before his conduct was reported in 2003. Two of his victims are suing him, Haggerty, St. Raphael's and the Diocese of Rockville Centre for neglect. The suit seeks $150 million in damages.

A female victim testified earlier this week and described her sexual encounters with Maiello. A male victim, now 22, began his testimony Wednesday and will continue when the court reconvenes Monday, April 30.

Lawrence Carra, Maiello's attorney, said his client hopes the suit will be resolved out of court.

"You could almost characterize it as painful testimony in that Matt was brutally honest and recounted the events that have occurred," Carra said. "And at this point in time he's hopeful that both the church and the plaintiffs can come to an amicable resolution on the matter."

Related Information:Youth minister testifies for victims in neglect suit Victim testifies sexual abuse went on inside church Witnesses: Priest ignored warnings of sexual abuse Diocese of Rockville Centre neglect lawsuit goes to trial