St. Mary's president resigns after report of sexual misconduct

(AP) St. Mary's University on Wednesday announced the resignation of its president, Brother Craig J. Franz, for alleged sexual misconduct in his previous job.

Franz was confronted earlier this month and admitted to "inappropriate sexual behavior" with an adult student while he was president of St. Mary's College of California, Board of Trustees Chairman Robert M. Figliulo wrote in a letter to students, faculty and others.

In an interview, Figliulo said the school learned of the allegation in early December and met with Franz quickly.

"When we heard this, we confirmed it, it was credible and we acted," Figliulo said.

Debra Holtz, a spokeswoman for the California school, said details of the allegation were confidential.

Brother Ronald Gallagher, president of the Califoria school, told students of the allegation in a message posted on the school's Web site Wednesday.

He said the allegation came this summer from a student who said the incident happened in late fall 2004, after Franz had resigned from the school. The school finished its investigation last month.

"I am sure it is as troubling to you as it is to me that one of our students was subjected to improper sexual conduct," Gallagher wrote. The school has started a follow-up investigation to see if any other students "might have encountered similar behavior," he said.

Franz was traveling by car to Baltimore Wednesday and was unavailable for comment, Figliulo said.

Franz, 53, resigned from St. Mary's College after problems with $121 million in pledges that turned out to be phony. He said at the time he thought the college would be better off with new leadership, Holtz said.

Franz joined the Minnesota school in June 2005.

Provost and Vice President Jeffrey Highland was named to serve as interim president.