DA says Shanley likely to post bail this week

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- The Rev. Paul Shanley, jailed since his arrest in May on charges that he assaulted and raped young boys while a priest in Newton, will post bail shortly, his attorney told Middlesex District Attorney Martha Coakley's office.

"He told us it will happen, probably this week," said Emily LaGrassa, a spokeswoman for Coakley.

A call Tuesday to Shanley's attorney, Frank Mondano, was not returned.

Shanley, who is also the focus of civil lawsuits by alleged sex abuse victims, is one of the priests whose cases have fueled the crisis in the Boston Archdiocese. Church officials have been accused of reassigning Shanley despite abuse allegations against him and complaints that he publicly advocated sex between men and boys.

Shanley, who is being held on $300,000 bail, is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday, LaGrassa said.

Shanley, 71, has been jailed since May when he was arrested and returned from California. He pleaded innocent to 10 counts of child rape and six counts of indecent assault and battery.