"The bishop did not, would not and has never attempted to bribe an elected official or anyone else," said Carolyn Erstad, a diocese spokeswoman. "This is a very serious allegation against a clergyman with an impeccable reputation. It is beyond comprehension that an elected official would not report an alleged crime of this kind to the proper authorities. She did not report it. It is not true. And it would be irresponsible for your paper to print it."