Prosecutors opened an investigation Wednesday into sexual-abuse allegations against Cincinnati priests.

        It began after the Archdiocese of Cincinnati turned over three boxes of files related to accusations of sexual misconduct.

        Prosecutors demanded the files last week after church officials disclosed they had substantiated misconduct allegations against “fewer than five” priests, all of whom remain with the archdiocese.

        The archdiocese asked prosecutors to get a grand-jury subpoena to ensure the names of priests and victims remain secret. The subpoena was issued Monday.

        “We appreciate the timely fashion in which the archdiocese has provided the initial subpoenaed material,” said Hamilton County Prosecutor Mike Allen.

        He said he expects to receive more records as church officials compile them.

        Because the subpoena did not set a specific time frame, archdiocese officials say they don't yet know how far back into their files they will have to go.

        Some of the records already may be familiar to prosecutors because they relate to cases that were criminally prosecuted. Others, such as the “fewer than five” cases mentioned last week, were never reported to authorities.

        Archdiocese officials have said they did not report those cases because they involved victims who came forward as adults, and some asked the archdiocese not to contact authorities.

        Prosecutors now must determine whether any of the cases warrant criminal charges.

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