HARTFORD, Conn. -- State police defended the department's decision to destroy the records of a criminal investigation that involved alleged child abuse by a state police and fire chaplain.

The department said Monday that a review concluded that the documents were handled properly.

Roman Catholic Priest Father Stephen Foley denied allegations that he used his position of authority with the church and state to lure young victims and sexually abuse them.

Lt. Paul Vance of the state police, said the new public safety commissioner and the state police colonel re-examined when records of a criminal probe into the activities of Foley were destroyed.

He said both officials determined the paperwork was properly retained for 10 years, according to state law, before being tossed out.

Rep. Michael Lawlor, who appeared at a news conference today with Tony Lembo, one of Foley's accusers, said he has questions about the timing.

Lawlor said it looks to him that the records were destroyed because police knew lawyers representing Foley's accusers would be looking for them.

"The facts of my case are shocking, graphic and true. I decided to tell my story because I wanted to make sure that everyone knew how heartless, manipulative and selfish Foley was and how the church and others protected him so he could keep on committing his crimes," Lembo said Monday.

Lembo co-authored a book detailing the alleged abuse.

"This was a priest who had civilians helping him to recruit children and also to assault children," Lembo said.

Lembo alleges that Foley would use his state car and position as chaplain for the state police to attract and molest young boys.

Channel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Leon Collins reported that a recent investigation by the Hartford Courant revealed that Foley, no longer associated with the state police, still drives a black Crown Victoria with all of the lights and sirens he is accused of using to lure victims. The Courant alleged that Foley forged documents to make it appear as though he was authorized to buy such a specialized vehicle.

After the allegations against Foley surfaced years ago, the Hartford Archdiocese reassigned Foley and paid settlement money to his alleged victims.

Lawlor said that he thinks Foley may face criminal prosecution.

"It is not outside the realm of possibility that he could be convicted of a felony for forgery and end up being in the special sex offender management unit, which is probably where he should be, assuming all these allegations are true," Lawlor said. "And it sounds like they are."

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