Paula Deen brother-in-law a sex pest?

Paula Deen’s brother-in-law, a Catholic priest, was arrested for sexual battery.

According to American tabloid the National Enquirer, Henry “Hank” Bowers Groover was busted following a sex predator sting operation in Savannah, Ga. back in 2003.

Groover the 56-year-old brother of Paula’s husband Michael apparently fondled the crotch of an undercover officer.

Groover was picked up on Nov. 17, 2003, at a seedy hangout where gays meet and indulge in public sex. The arrest took place at the President’s Street Boat Ramp on the outskirts of trendy Savannah less than five miles from the luxury waterfront home where Paula and Michael now live.

“While conducting surveillance…I was walking behind the restrooms when a subject, later identified as Henry Bowers Groover, walked out of the restroom and waved for me to follow him,” reported former Chatham County detective Yujean Foster.

“Groover walked to a heavily covered area of the walking trail and then stopped and unzipped his pants. He asked me my name and asked if I was from around here. Groover then said, ‘What do you like?’ and reached out and rubbed my crotch.

“I immediately displayed my badge and identified myself as a police officer, informing Groover that he was under arrest for sexual battery. Groover immediately began apologizing, saying that he was ’sorry.’

“When asked what type of work he did, he stated that he was a Catholic priest.”

Sources say Paula, the owner of the Lady & Sons restaurant, prefers fans didn’t know about the twisted family secret surrounding Groover, the man she describes as her “spiritual adviser” in her memoir, Paula Deen: It Ain’t All About the Cookin’.

“Paula is badly embarrassed by the arrest,” a family friend said.

“Paula’s image means everything to her, and she’d be mortified if fans knew the truth.”