Melhorn filed another complaint last month withthe University and sent a letter to Rudenstinerequesting a meeting.

Steiner says the University conducted athorough internal investigation of Melhorn'scharges as part of a broader review of MemorialChurch management and financial practices in 1987.

The probe prompted some changes in managementand financial practices, but Steiner refused todisclose details.

"President Rudenstine is not going to doanything about these stale allegations," saysSteiner. "There was nothing new in thosedocuments."

Melhorn's credibility has also been questionedby a number of current and past employees of thechurch, including two who Melhorn said mightsupport his claims.

John R. Ferris, who retired last year after 32years as the church organist, says Melhorn "wasremoved from his job much to everyone's delight."

"I would not take stock in what he says as atall," adds Ferris. "We all had a very low opinionof him."

Daniel J. Griffin, an editor in Harvard'sOffice of Printing and Publishing and anotherMelhorn reference, also vouches for Gomes.

"I'm surprised that [Melhorn] is making theseallegations so long after," says Griffin. "I'veknown Reverend Gomes for 10 years and he's a fineperson."

Hiring Improprieties?

One of Melhorn's allegations concerns Gomes'decision to hire Divinity School student RichardL. Tafel as an assistant in 1987. According toMelhorn, Gomes may have violated Universityguidelines on nepotism.

Tafel says Gomes hired him as assistant to theminister for special projects.

At the time, Tafel was also serving as housemanager of Sparks House, the official residence ofthe minister of Memorial Church, Tafel says. Hesays he has been Gomes' house manager since 1985.

Melhorn says Gomes violated University policyon nepotism which forbids employment of"individuals regularly sharing the staff member'sresidence."

As house manager of Sparks House, Tafel couldtechnically be considered a member of Gomes'household, Melhorn says.