Questions Dog Longtime Giuliani Friend

A Catholic priest who was best man at Rudy Giuliani's first wedding, performed his second marriage, and presided at his parents' funerals is on the payroll of the candidate's consulting firm—and suspended from his pastoral duties because he has been accused of sexually abusing children. Salon looks at the relationship and what it says about the famously loyal Giuliani.

A spokeswoman for the company says Giuliani believes his childhood friend Alan Placa "has been unjustly accused." Placa's job description is murky, but his personal ties are clear. Regardless of the personal history, the association remains problematic: "I think Rudy Giuliani has to account for his friendship with a credibly accused child molester," said one critic. (More Catholic Church stories.)