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Priest convicted of molestation denies sex with minors

Kimball admits to relations with women

Kimball faces a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison.

SANTA ROSA, California (CNN) -- A Catholic priest convicted of molesting a girl maintains he never had sexual relations with minors, but, describing himself as the "forbidden fruit," he admitted he had not remained celibate.

"Have I found my way to get close to some women, a few? Yes," said Don Kimball in an interview with CNN conducted before Tuesday's verdict.

Kimball said women found him desirable when he wore his collar as a priest.

"I wasn't prepared for putting on that uniform, walking out into real life and discovering the number of women who were coming on to me," Kimball said. "I wasn't prepared for that. ... I think they were in love with the uniform. It's a uniform thing."

CNN NewsPass VIDEO CNN's Connie Chung has an interview with Roman Catholic priest Don Kimball (April 17) Play video     LEGAL RESOURCES Latest Legal News Law Library FindLaw Consumer Center Select a topic Bankruptcy Discrimination Divorce Estate Planning Landlord-Tenant Personal Injury Taxes

Kimball, who once was a popular youth minister, could be sentenced to up to 14 years in prison because of his conviction for molesting a 13-year-old girl in 1981. Sentencing is set for May 15.

Kimball was acquitted on charges that he raped another girl in 1977.

Throughout the interview, Kimball maintained he had never had any sort of sexual contact with anyone underage. He suggested those making accusations were doing so for financial gain.

"I think priests are all targets now and I think ... once the word's out that the money's being paid ... I think you're going to see more of these kinds of things. People have motives that are very complex," he said.

The "most available women," Kimball said, were those ages 18 to 25. Asked if he strayed, Kimball responded, "Oh, yes."

He said, however, that he hadn't pursued sex.

"I wasn't into fooling around. .... What I wanted was maybe a partner, because I felt in the '70s, and I think a lot of people felt this way, that the rule on celibacy may change soon."

That rule has not changed.

On Tuesday, Ellen Brem, whom the jury believed was a victim of sexual abuse by Kimball, hailed the verdict.

"This is for victims of clergy anywhere," Brem told reporters.