Archdiocese says it has proof claims are false, and were conceived as a way to make money. The church has spent millions settling claims. But, the archdiocese says not all were legitimate. "We're alleging that there is a conspiracy of people, a racketeering enterprise of people, who are fabricating false claims involving the former priest," Archdiocese General Counsel said. "The conspiracy is recruiting people who were not abused, giving them scripts and information, hooking them up with lawyers and having them bring cases that they could then settle for." Evidence includes recorded jail phone conversations. "This has to do with protecting the interests of legitimate victims, so that resources meant for them don't go to people who don't deserve them," the General Counsel said. Lawyers who represent abuse victims applaud the archdiocese for uncovering fraudulent claims.

Today, the most vulnerable members of the Catholic Church are its priests who—in a heartbeat and absent any evidence—can be deprived of an untarnished, selfless, life-long ministry. The bishops implemented procedures that were excessive, little informed by either Catholic theology or natural justice. Further, a judgment that a cleric has been “credibly accused” means, in most cases, that the priest’s name will be published on the internet. The Holy See has repeatedly warned against this practice. The concern of the Holy See for priests’ reputations—priests, it should be remembered, who have been found guilty of no crime—has been ignored by the American episcopacy. The American bishops must find the courage to amend the Charter and its procedures, despite the criticism they will undoubtedly receive. Only then will justice be properly served and trust in the episcopacy restored.

Washington Senate Bill 5375 does not include an exemption regarding the rite of confession, but would not compel a clergy member to testify as a witness, only to report what is known to authorities. Sen. Noel Frame said it "is about us being able to have children know that they can trust adults in their lives, particularly members of the clergy". However, the bishop said that “it’s an act of worship. It’s a prayer for us, and the seal of confession is essential to that rite, because a penitent has the right to confess their sins without worrying their sins will become public.” The penalty for breaking that seal, he said, was excommunication.

The priest reiterated his innocence and insisted on denouncing what he considers “irregularities of the canonical process”: being tried twice for the same crime “because the initial acquittal did not please the person who put together the ecclesiastical court”; that “legislation approved after the alleged events” was applied; that the bishop would urge him to plead guilty in his first communication to him; or that “legislation that has not been applied to any layperson” was used. “The whole process has been a shameful farce. There has never been the slightest possibility of defending myself,” the priest said

Last year, the diocesan review board concluded that the accusation against Mulhall was "credible" and that the priest should be added to its public list of "credibly accused priests." Mulhall died at age 90 in 2001. He was ordained in 1937, when Franklin Delano Roosevelt was President. Last September Vatican officials decried involving the publication of the name of a person simply accused, but of an unproven accusation, without the benefit of any exercise of the right to defense." It concluded that these lists can be especially problematic "when it concerns deceased persons." If the Church is to stand for fairness and justice, diocesan "lists of credibly accused priests" need to be ended.