Chorus Named in Suit Claiming Molestation : Courts: Former member of group also names its founder, whom he accuses of sexual abuse, and Catholic diocese.

The All-American Boys Chorus has been named a defendant in a Superior Court suit by a former member who alleges he was sexually molested by the founder of the Costa Mesa-based chorus.

Patrick O’Neill, who is in his late 20s, also names Father Richard T. Coughlin and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange as defendants.

The suit did not name the chorus, Coughlin or the diocese as defendants when it was first filed in April. The names were added last week.

O’Neill alleges in the suit that Coughlin fondled him and committed other sexual acts over a five-year period, from 1976 to 1981, but that O’Neill suppressed the memory of the molestation until earlier this year.

Coughlin, 68, was suspended in late January amid allegations that he sexually molested five youths in a period 10 to 30 years ago. Coughlin, who began the internationally known All-American Boys Chorus in 1970, was ordered to sever all ties to the group and was suspended from his duties as a priest by the diocese.

Coughlin has denied the allegations by the five chorus members. He could not be reached for comment on the suit.

O’Neill alleges that he was 11 years old when incidents began.

A man who answered the telephone at the chorus office, who declined to identify himself, said he didn’t know anything about the suit and had no comment.

Msgr. Lawrence J. Baird, a spokesman for the diocese, said he was unaware of the suit and referred all questions to diocese attorneys. Baird said he did not know where Coughlin is currently.

Attorneys for all parties either declined comment or did not return phone calls.