A d.a. has a new stick with which to beat a cardinal:

The U.S. attorney in Los Angeles has launched a federal grand jury investigation into Cardinal Roger M. Mahony in connection with his response to the alleged molestation of children by priests in the Los Angeles Archdiocese, according to two law enforcement sources familiar with the case.

He cites “honest services fraud” by failing to protect kids from molesters, says a source.  Argument is that parishioners relied on Mahony and other church leaders to keep their children safe.

It’s a first?  At first blush it seems a very broad brush that could cover so many other deficient public and private officials that it gives a non-legal mind pause.