List of Accused Priests in Ohio
The menace of clergy child sexual abuse has deeply impacted the Roman Catholic Church in Ohio, revealing a troubling history of misconduct and cover-ups. This issue has shattered the trust of many parishioners and brought immense pain to survivors and their families.
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers are dedicated to helping and seeking justice for those affected, providing expert legal assistance to survivors so that they can rebuild their lives and hold perpetrators with substantiated allegations accountable for their crimes.
Table of Contents
| Last Name | First Name | Diocese | Status | Accusations (Summary) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albrecht | G.R. Keith | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Sued | Albrecht was expelled by the Franciscans and ordained for the priesthood in Cincinnati in 1977. He was placed on leave in 1993 after accusation of sexual abuse of a teen boy and later admitted to sexual behavior with four youths. |
| Behm | Al | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Accused | Behm is accused of sexually abusing a boy in North Carolina. The abuse lasted through most of the boy’s college years and Behm insinuated himself as a father figure. |
| Berning | John B. | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Sued | At least 7 plaintiffs filed suits against Berning in 2003. Berning admitted to abusing one youth and may have abused others. |
| Malloy | Joseph | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Accused | Malloy was named publicly as accused by the St. John the Baptist Franciscans on its list 6/18/2022 of those with substantiated allegations. He died in 1992. |
| Brunner | Thomas J. | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Sued | Suspended in 2003, sued, case dismissed due to the statute of limitations, laicized in 2006, accused of abuse of two girls at Mount Notre Dame High School. |
| Cooley | George | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Convicted | Archdiocese knew of abuse complaints as early as 1971, and again in 1978. Cooley was laicized in 1998, and was living near Sharonville, OH in 2019 and working as a bartender. |
| Cooper | Ronald C. | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Accused | A man accused Cooper of touching him inappropriately several times in Bridgetown in 1983-1984. Cooper claims no sexual intent was involved. |
| Doerger | Stanley D. | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Accused | Accused of abuse of up to 275 female students at St. Rita School for the Deaf. Placed on leave in 3/2005. |
| Drew | Geoffrey | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Convicted | Drew was placed on leave after sending inappropriate text messages to at least one boy at the parish school. There had been complaints to church officials about his behavior toward boys at his previous parish in 2013 and 2015. Pope Francis accepted Binzer’s resignation in Spring 2020 after being indicted on 9 counts of rape. In 2005 40 boys complained to school officials about Drew touching them. They were made to apologize to Drew. |
| Dury | Edward J. | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Accused | Marianist brother, Province of Cincinnati. Professed vows in 1920. Worked in OH, NY, PA, HI. Died in 1974. Name included on the Marianists 6/24/2020 list of those “found to have sexually abused a minor.” |
| Early | Bill | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Accused | The Glenmary order named him credibly accused on 10/11/2019. He worked in GA, IL, OH, KY, TN, CA, DC, and was included on the Atlanta archdiocese’s list in 11/2020. |
| Erpenbeck | Robert J. | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Accused | Erpenbeck was named publicly as accused by the Jesuits Midwest Province on 12/17/2018, and was included on the Archdiocese of Cincinnati’s list in 2/2014. |
| Feldhaus | Thomas F. | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Sued | Feldhaus was removed from ministry in 2003 after an accusation of abuse of a youth in 1979. |
| Ferone | John | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Accused | St. Xavier High School removed the director of adult faith and ignatian programming after an allegation of solicitation. |
| Finke | John P. | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Accused | Priest, military chaplain, and parish priest. Named publicly as accused of child sexual abuse by the US Province Marianists on its list 6/24/2020. |
| Harsham | Ellis N. | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Settled | Harsham was accused of oral sex with two high school students and abuse of several boys. He was placed on administrative leave in 1994 and laicized in 2006. |
| Heil | Norman L. | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Sued | In 2004, a woman claimed sexual abuse by Heil when she was age 16. She claimed a nun pressured her to give up her baby, and Heil left the priesthood around 1967. |
| Hopp | Thomas R. | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Sued | Suspended in 2002 due to accusation of abuse of a boy in 1980, permanently removed from ministry by the Vatican in 2005, civil suit dismissed in 2006, died in 2014. |
| Hendricks | Kenneth Bernard | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Charged | Brother Pius Hendricks, a Franciscan brother, was accused of sexual abuse of 10 boys in the Philippines, as young as age 7. He died while on trial for the abuse of two boys, who were brothers. |
| Horst | Bernard L. | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Accused | Multiple reports of inappropriate sexual behavior toward young girls, ages 9-13, by Horst. Charges dropped because polygraph test was “inconclusive”, police chief threatened to go to prosecutor. The Marianists told Bishop Donovan that Horst was abusing alcohol and was sent for alcohol abuse treatment. |
| Katarskis | Vaclovas | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Accused | A woman filed a police report accusing Katarskis of abusing her on several occasions from 1960-1961 when she was ages 10-11. |
| Kelley | David J. | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Sued | At least 38 men have filed suit against Kelley, alleging forced oral sex, rape, and other abuse when they were minors. Kelley was transferred to a new parish in 1983, then removed in 2002. |
| Kiffmeyer | James G. | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Settled | In 2002 a man accused Kiffmeyer of abusing him, but the statute of limitations had expired, and the church said the man was over 18 at the time in question. The church paid to settle the claim. |
| Klick | Walter A. | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Accused | Marianist brother of the Cincinnati Province. Served in high schools in Cincinnati, Washington DC, Pittsburgh PA, San Francisco CA, Brooklyn NY, Baltimore MD. |
| Kuhn | Thomas A. | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Convicted | Assigned to Elder High School for over twenty years, then left in 1988. Reports of inappropriate touch of boys were made in 1994 and 1997, and he was kept in ministry, but placed on leave in 2002. |
| Larger | Raymond E. | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Acquitted | In 2003, Larger pleaded no contest to soliciting sex from a male undercover police officer, and was placed on administrative leave in 2005-2008. He was reinstated by the Vatican in 2008 after a ruling of no merit. |
| Lux | Joachim | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Accused | Lux was named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Wichita, the Archdiocese of New Orleans, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, and the Franciscans, and was included in the IL Attorney General’s Report. |
| Masserella | Francis A. | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Accused | Ordained for the Glenmary Home Missioners, left in 1945, became a Trappist monk in KY for six years, joined the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, and was removed from ministry in 2003. Accused of abuse of girls about 50 years prior. |
| Mathues | Frederick F. | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Accused | A Marianist educator, named publicly as accused on the Marianists’ list in 2020, died in 1972, age 51. |
| Montgomery | Michael | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Accused | Franciscan authorities knew of two incidents of “improper contact” with male students in the 1980s, but Montgomery was allowed to continue working as an athletic trainer at Roger Bacon High School. He was removed from active ministry in 2002. |
| Nastold | Donald O. | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Accused | Nastold was named publicly as accused by the Jesuits Midwest Province on its list 12/17/2018, and died 4/12/2007. |
| O’Brien | Edward J. | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Accused | O’Brien was named publicly as accused by the Jesuits Midwest Province on 12/17/2018. He died 2/16/1983. |
| O’Neill | Charles | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Accused | Franciscan friar named publicly as accused by St. John the Baptist Province. Deceased. |
| Paraniuk | Michael | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Reinstated | A man told Archdiocesan officials that Paraniuk abused him in 1983. The Archdiocese investigated and deemed the allegations unsubstantiated, but Paraniuk was reinstated after being paid from the victims’ compensation fund. |
| Partee | Carter | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Accused | Partee was named publicly as accused, with substantiated allegations, on the Franciscans’ St. John the Baptist Province’s list 10/9/2020. He died in 2010 and was added to several other lists. |
| Pater | Daniel | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Settled | A woman told the Archdiocese Pater sexually abused her beginning when she was age 14 in the early 1980s at St. Charles Borromeo in Kettering. Pater was sentenced to life of prayer and penance by the Vatican in 2014. |
| Pigott | Edward L. | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Accused | A list of Jesuits with established allegations was released in 2018 and included Pigott, who was assigned to St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati from 1992 to 1994. The list shows multiple allegations of abuse occurring 1973-1977, 1982-1983, 1986-1990, 1992-1997. |
| Reilly | David F. | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Indicted | After a man accused him of improper contact with him, Reilly was cleared by a three-priest Tribunal and restored to active ministry. |
| Richstatter | Thomas | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Accused | Member of the Franciscan Friars, Province of St. John the Baptist, accused of sexual abuse. Removed from ministry. |
| Sandman | Lawrence W. | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the Marianist Order on its list 6/24/2020. Professed vows as a brother in 1944, Province of Cincinnati. Worked in CA, OH and HI. Withdrew from the Order in 1959. Died in 2009. |
| Russell | Francis A. | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Accused | Frank Russell, a Marianist priest, was accused of sexually abusing students in 1978. A former teacher said he immediately reported the abuse to the school, but the Marianists denied receiving the report until 1994, after Russell’s death. |
| Schetter | Albert E. | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Sued | Two men filed a lawsuit against the archdiocese in 2003, claiming that Schetter sexually abused them when they were boys in the early 1960s. The archdiocese offered counseling, which the man declined, and reviewed Schetter’s personnel file. |
| Schreck | John | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Accused | Named publicly in 1/2021by the Franciscans’ Province of St. John the Baptist as the subject of substantiated allegations of child sexual abuse. Professed final vows in 1966. Schreck died in 2005 in Cincinnati, at age 60. |
| Schoettmer | Kenneth J. | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Convicted | Placed on leave after admitting in 2001 that he had sexual encounters with boys, pled guilty in 2003 to gross sexual imposition, was sentenced to 5 years’ probation, and died in 2014. |
| Schutte | Robert W. | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Accused | Schutte taught high school, worked in parishes, and was an assistant Air Force chaplain, but his privileges were removed after allegations of sexual abuse. He died in 2004 at age 89. |
| Shelander | Donald E. | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Reinstated | A man told the archdiocese that Shelander sexually abused him in the late 1970s-early 1980s, but the allegations could not be proven. |
| Stephney | Charles F. | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Accused | Stephney was assigned to a Cincinnati parish, but left for Brooklyn NY and worked for accused priest Rev. George Stallings. Stallings broke away from the Roman Catholic Church and started his own “Imani Temple” in DC. |
| Stricker | Robert A. | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Accused | Stricker, age 84 and retired, was placed on leave by the archdiocese pending an investigation of sexual abuse allegations. The investigation determined the claims could not be substantiated. |
| Strittmatter | Lawrence | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Sued | Former Elder High School principal was sent for treatment in 1988 after allegations of child abuse in 1983. Placed on leave in 2002 after allegations he abused 2-3 youths in the 1970s. |
| Tedesco | Joseph P. | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Accused | Marianist priest accused of sexual misconduct. Named publicly as accused by the Marianist Order on its list. |
| Thompson | Randolph Ernest | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Accused | Thompson was a member of the Brothers of the Christian Schools prior to joining the Franciscans in 1942. He was removed from ministry in 1967 and added to the list of those against whom there are substantiated allegations in 2020. |
| Unwin | Richard M. | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Accused | Unwin assisted at parishes in Forest Park, Hamilton, Oxford, Springfield and McCartyville, then pastored in Piqua and Tipp City. He was also an educator, serving as principal of Catholic Central High School in Springfield. |
| Vertassich | Gino | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Accused | The Glenmary order named Vertassich publicly as credibly accused on its list 10/11/2019. He was included in the Atlanta archdiocese’s list 11/2020 and the Charlotte diocese’s list 12/29/2019. |
| Vincent | David P. | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Reinstated | Vincent was accused of abuse in the 1980s by a man, but denied all allegations. |
| Witt | Broderick | Archdiocese of Cincinnati OH | Charged | Mount Saint Mary’s seminarian when arrested 2/9/2024 on charges of pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s office had been investigating Witt since 9/2023. Dismissed from Mount Saint Mary’s. |
| Arko | Richard A. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | Arrested 1/2004 on charges of growing marijuana in the church rectory and selling it, Arko lost his state license to perform massage therapy based on the felony conviction, resigned from ministry in 2005, laicized in 7/20/2015. |
| Bailey | George F. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | Bailey left the priesthood in the late 1980s, and was laicized in 3/2014. He was included on the diocese’s list of credibly accused in 6/2019. |
| Banner | Russell J. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | Banner was placed on leave in 2002 pending review of past allegations. A second man filed suit in 2004 alleging abuse for two years when he ages 12-14 and a resident at Parmadale Childrens’ Home. |
| Bals | Jerry | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Settled | Accused of fondling girls in counseling sessions at Lake Catholic High School, where he was a guidance counselor and librarian. Sued by a woman in 1993, suspended by diocese, required to forfeit his teaching credentials, permanently removed from ministry. |
| Bartnikowski | Raymond B. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | Placed on leave in 2002, three women came forward to allege abuse, including spanking. |
| Bogucki | Kenneth | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 6/21/2019. Laicized. |
| Botty | Paul | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Convicted | Professed vows in 1980, was removed from public ministry in 1986, and was convicted of sexual battery. He died in 2007 and was listed on the U.S. Marianists list. |
| Brickman | Donald P. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Sued | Assigned to St. Joseph’s in Cuyahoga Falls and St. Bartholomew in Middleburg Heights. Placed on leave in 2002 due to an allegation of abuse. |
| Brockman | Henry A. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | Entered the order 8/11/1900. Ordained in 1915. Named publicly as accused by the Jesuits Midwest Province on its list 12/17/2018. Multiple allegations of abuse occurring 1950s-1960s, while assigned to St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland. Died 2/21/1973. |
| Brodnick | Joseph F. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | Placed on leave in 2002, after being accused of an ‘inappropriate relationship’ with a girl in her late teens, and permanently removed from ministry. |
| Broome | Robert C. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | Broome was named publicly as accused by the Jesuits Midwest Province on its list 12/17/2018. He was assigned to St. Ignatius College Prep Chicago 1949-1956. |
| Bruening | Allen F. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Sued | Accused of abusing two brothers almost 20 years apart; diocese said he would receive treatment but instead transferred him to a new high school. Later removed from ministry; given “Life of Prayer and Penance”; died 3/3/2015. |
| Burg | Thomas R. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | Burg was accused of molesting at least one young girl during confession. He was included on the diocese’s list of those against whom there were substantiated allegations in 2002 and in 2022. |
| Ciolek | John | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 6/21/2019. Died 9/25/1986. |
| Connor | John | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 6/21/2019. Deceased. |
| Burrill | Ignatius M. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Settled | A former student of Burrill’s came forward to allege abuse by Burrill 1952-1956. Burrill was later listed on the Midwest Jesuit Province list and the IL Attorney General’s Report. |
| Conway | Neil P. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Sued | Admitted to molesting at least eight boys 1968-1985. Left church on total disability in 1987 and was named on the diocese’s list of credibly accused. |
| Deehr | Anselm | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Sued | A religious brother accused of abuse of a boy in Cleveland, Atlanta, Washington DC, Stirling NJ, Los Angeles and Adelphi, MD. |
| Ehrbar | Joseph | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 6/21/2019. Died in 1979. |
| Ferrante | Leonard A. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | Listed by the diocese as no longer in active ministry in 2002, Ferrante was assigned to Borromeo Seminary High School and College 1967-1976 and Lake County Catholic High School 1972-1973. |
| Gannon | Thomas M. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | A Jesuit priest was named publicly as accused of sexual abuse by the Jesuits Midwest Province on its list 12/17/2018. He died 12/19/2011. |
| Garvey | Gerald B. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | The Jesuits Midwest Province named him as accused 12/17/2018, and he died 8/3/1960. There are two reported survivors. |
| Gumucio | Oscar | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | Gumucio was named publicly as accused by the Jesuits Midwest Province on its list 12/17/2019. |
| Hovanec | George T. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | A woman wrote to Archbishop Pilla saying she was abused as a child by Hovanec. |
| Ischay | Matthew A. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Sued | Ischay was removed from his position as parochial vicar at St. Paul in Akron and placed on administrative leave after a civil suit was filed. The suit was dropped in 10/2011 at plaintiff’s request due to the statute of limitations. |
| Jacoby | John O. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Settled | Jacoby was accused of abusing at least six girls in the 1960s. Five claimants settled with the diocese in 2003, but the diocese failed to satisfy the terms of the settlement. |
| Klamet | Frank | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the Cleveland diocese on its list 6/21/2019. Abuse substantiated. Included on the Cincinnati archdiocese’s list in 1/2020. Parish priest, missionary in El Salvador, family medicine physician. Died 4/19/2009 at age 57. |
| Kitt | Liam | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | Canon William Liam Kitt, age 100, was named publicly as accused by the Diocese in 2019. |
| Kickel | Edward | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | Monsignor Kickel was nicknamed “The Feeler” for molesting girls during religion class. In 1969 faculty and parents held a meeting about allegations against Kickel, and the pastor barred Kickel from hearing confessions and teaching religion classes. |
| Lambur | Victor M. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese in 1/2022. Lambur died in 1994. |
| Labbe | Joseph P. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | Labbe’s name was included on a list of priests placed on leave in 2002 because of recent allegations of past abuse. He denied the allegations. |
| Lang | Joseph J. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | Name on 4/2002 list of priests removed from assignments due to past allegations of abuse. Lang received treatment and was allowed to return to work, but was permanently removed from active ministry. |
| Leahy | John A. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Sued | Accused of sexually abusing a girl in the mid- 1970s at Parmadale Children’s Village, Leahy forced her and another child to perform sexual acts while other men watched. |
| Lieberth | Joseph J. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Sued | On a list of priests in the Cleveland diocese who had been accused in the past of sexual abuse, Lieberth was returned to ministry after receiving evaluation and treatment. He was accused of molesting a 17-year-old boy in 1986. |
| Louis | Martin J. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Convicted | A 20-year-old woman accused Louis of molesting and raping her several times when she was age 10. He was sentenced to 5-25 years in prison and laicized, per the diocese’s list in 6/2019. |
| Lucas | Theodore | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | Lucas was placed on medical leave of absence beginning in 3/2014 and was placed on administrative leave pending the Vatican’s decision regarding laicization. |
| Luckay | Thomas J. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | Luckay’s name appeared on a list of Cleveland priests no longer in active ministry because of allegations in the past of abuse of minors. |
| Mangen | Daniel J. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Sued | A woman accused Mangen of sexually abusing and raping her for three years in the early 1980s. Mangen admitted being sexually active with adults and minors but denied the woman’s claims. |
| McBride | Daniel R. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Convicted | McBride was charged with soliciting a minor and sentenced to three years probation for the abuse of a 17-year-old boy. He was on administrative leave until his death in 2015. |
| McDonough | Howard J. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | McDonough was sued in 1993 for allegedly sexually abusing a 14-year-old student 20 years prior. The lawsuit was dismissed in 1995 due to the statute of limitations, and McDonough was no longer a member of the Order. |
| McGonegal | James | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | McGonegal was named publicly as credibly accused of child sexual abuse by the diocese on its list 6/21/2019. He was laicized in 2022. |
| McCool | John William | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | McCool left the priesthood in the early 1990s and went on to marry. He was included on the diocese’s list of credibly accused. |
| McNulty | J. Brendan | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | McNulty was placed on leave in 2003 after allegations of sexual abuse against several brothers. He was laicized in 2007 after writing a letter of apology to one brother. |
| McWilliams | Robert D. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Convicted | McWilliams was arrested for sending and receiving child pornography and sex trafficking, and was sentenced to life in prison. A 19-year-old man filed a lawsuit against the Diocese, claiming McWilliams abused him for two years, from age 14. |
| Monaghan | Nicholas Francis | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | Monsignor Monaghan was pastor of St. Charles Borromeo in Parma from 1923-1967. A woman approached the Ft. Worth, TX diocese for help in early 2008, and at least six other women came forward with same allegations. |
| Mueller | John J. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | Mueller was placed on leave in 2002 due to allegations of sexual abuse, but was allowed to retire in 2003. He also allegedly abused a woman in 1977. |
| Mulica | Frederick James | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Settled | Mulica was accused of molesting a 14-year-old altar boy in 1981. He was sent to alcohol treatment center, reassigned to non-parish work in 1987, and placed on administrative leave in 2002 due to the allegations against him. |
| Muzic | Anthony J. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Sued | Muzic was accused of providing liquor to youths and abusing them, but the Diocese did not include his name on its list of accused clerics. |
| Nealon | Daniel J. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | Nealon was accused of abusing a deaf boy in the late 1980s, but was exonerated after an investigation. He left the priesthood, married, and became a lawyer. |
| O’Connor | Patrick J. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Convicted | After allegations of sexual abuse, O’Connor was removed from his parish, cleared by the Vatican, and returned to active status in 2007. He was indicted, pleaded guilty, and sentenced to 90 days in jail. |
| Powers | Thomas J. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | Multiple allegations of abuse against Powers, occurring in the 1970s, 1973-1978, 1985-1986, and 2000. Powers was dismissed 7/6/2001 and died 5/31/2019 at age 74. |
| Rebol | Anthony | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | Retired in 1998, evaluated and treated after an allegation in 1992, placed on leave in 2002, died in 2017. |
| Rebovich | John | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Settled | In 1975, Rebovich solicited an altar boy for oral sex. A 1990 civil suit alleges Rebovich raped an altar boy in 1980 in the Diocese of Parma, and in 1992 three more plaintiffs filed suit. |
| Rooney | Donald | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Sued | In 2002, four more women and the father of another came forward with similar charges against Rooney. One woman filed a class action suit, but the court denied the claims. |
| Romansky | Joseph A. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Convicted | Arrested in 1985, accused of abusing boys, sent to St. Luke Institute for treatment, invited to work in Biloxi MS Bishop Howze’s parish, settled in 1991, was a nursing home chaplain until 2002, placed on leave in 2002, three more suits filed in 2002. |
| Rupp | Edward F. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Sued | A man claimed Rupp sexually abused him several times as a teenager in the late 1960s-early 1970s. The Vatican ordered Rupp’s permanent removal from active ministry as of 6/14/2007, and sentenced him to a life of prayer and penance. |
| Ruglovsky | Robert | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Convicted | Byzantine Rite Catholic, accused of molesting at least seven boys over a 20-year period. Sentenced to 15 years probation and 1 year in jail, and participated in a sex offender program. |
| Schuerger | Anthony | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Reinstated | Schuerger was named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 6/21/2019. He was granted use of his priestly faculties and was awaiting a new assignment after investigations by the Diocesan Review Board and civil authorities. |
| Rodgers | Paul F. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | Named publicly as the subject of multiple allegations, Dismissed from the order in 1982. |
| Seminatore | Joseph J. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Faculties removed | Seminatore was placed on leave from Parmadale Family Services home in 2002 after a man alleged sexual abuse there as a minor. The diocese granted retirement in 2015 after a tribunal of three canonists determined the charges were not confirmed. |
| Slapsak | Julius | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the Diocese on its list 6/21/2019. Died in 1985. |
| Tomicky | Ronald B. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | Tomicky was a chaplain in the Air Force, a missionary in El Salvador, a hospital chaplain, and a resident chaplain at St. John’s Hospital. He was retired with total and permanent disability and no faculties for public ministry. |
| Trieste | Martin Van | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Sued | Van Trieste was accused of abusing two boys who were members of the Little Martins, a touring singing group. |
| Viall | James A. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | Placed on leave 7/2002 for allegations of misconduct with minors. Retired in 2005, still without privileges, and included in 6/2019 on the diocese’s list of credibly accused. |
| Weaver | Jeffrey M. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | In 1997, the diocese said that Weaver engaged in “sexual exploitation” of teen boys, and that he had made sexual advances toward them after they turned 18 years old. In 2012, the diocese decided to return Weaver to ministry. As of 2018, Jeffery Weaver was celebrating the Latin Mass at St. Elizabeth of Hungary and assisting on weekends. |
| Weber | David C. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | Weber, a member of Bishop Pilla’s “inner circle,” was placed on leave in 2002 because of past allegations of sexual abuse. He was laicized in 2016 and included on the list of credibly accused in 2019. |
| Wernet | Carl C. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Sued | In 1992 a woman came forward to allege abuse by Wernet as a child. Seven other women came forward and filed suit, and twenty-one more accusers came forward. |
| Wittreich | John A. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 6/21/2019. Died in 2004. |
| Wirks | Dennis T. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Accused | Wirks’ name was included on a list of priests no longer in active ministry because of allegations of abuse of minors. |
| Williams | Joseph N. | Diocese of Cleveland OH | Convicted | Williams left the priesthood in the late 1970s, became an attorney, and was sentenced to life in prison without parole for raping an 8-year-old boy in 1992. He also sexually molested a 12-year-old boy for 3 years, beginning in 1984. |
| Kloppenborg | Thomas | Diocese of Colorado Springs CO | Accused | Vincentian priest who had a “consensual” relationship with a youth in the 1970s was removed from assignment in 2002 and worked at Order’s headquarters until his death in 2007. |
| Manning | Charles Robert | Diocese of Colorado Springs CO | Acquitted | Priest was transferred to Colorado, removed from St. Gabriel the Archangel, arrested for abuse of a 15-year-old boy, ‘retired’ due to declining health, found guilty of giving the boy marijuana and alcohol, given four years probation. |
| Atwood | Ronald J. | Diocese of Columbus OH | Settled | Atwood was removed from the priesthood without faculties after an allegation of sexual abuse was received, and was included on Attorney Garabedian’s list of accused clerics named in civil claims resulting in settlements or arbitration awards. |
| Bellinato | Hector | Diocese of Columbus OH | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the Columbus diocese on its list 3/1/2019. Last indexed in the 1969 Official Catholic Directory. Deceased. |
| Bennett | Thomas M. | Diocese of Columbus OH | Settled | Bennett was a priest, administrator, archivist, and teacher. He was accused of sexually abusing a freshman boy multiple times in 2002-2003 at St. Charles Prep, and a second former student came forward by 11/2018. |
| Brosmer | Thomas J. | Diocese of Columbus OH | Accused | Brosmer was removed from assignment at St. Cecelia in Columbus in 2012 after allegations of abuse. The review board found the allegations credible. |
| Csaszar | James | Diocese of Columbus OH | Accused | Pastor of Resurrection in New Albany, previously long-time pastor of St. Rose in New Lexington, took his own life in 12/2017 after leaving suicide notes. He denied sexual contact with any child or adult. |
| Ellifritz | Michael | Diocese of Columbus OH | Accused | Ellifritz retired in 2002 for “health reasons” after acknowledging improper contact with a boy. He died in 2021. |
| Emmert | Roger | Diocese of Columbus OH | Accused | Emmert was named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/1/2019. He died 2/1/1997. |
| Estadt | Harry | Diocese of Columbus OH | Accused | Monsignor. Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/1/2019. Assigned to St. Thomas the Apostle for forty years, beginning in 1935. Died 3/15/1991. |
| Fete | Joseph N. | Diocese of Columbus OH | Settled | Monsignor Fete was accused of sex abuse of a teenage boy for four years, 1976-1979, and was laicized in 2005 or 2006. |
| France-Kelly | Kenneth | Diocese of Columbus OH | Accused | A former Dominican priest was named publicly as accused by the Columbus diocese on its list 3/1/2019. Abuse allegedly occurred elsewhere. |
| Gamba | John Joseph | Diocese of Columbus OH | Accused | From Italy. Ordained in Italy for the Dominican Order. Worked in the Columbus OH diocese beginning in the 1950s. Retired in 1985. Died 11/21/2009 at age 93. Named publicly by the diocese in 9/2019 as credibly accused. |
| Geiger | John A. | Diocese of Columbus OH | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/1/2019, Geiger died 3/23/1995 of cancer. He had been a pastor, teacher, and editor of the diocesan newspaper. |
| Hanrahan | Michael F. | Diocese of Columbus OH | Convicted | Resigned in 1993, pled guilty to molesting a boy in 1983-1984, avoided prosecution in cases involving the boy’s two older brothers, settled civil suit, no longer had to register as a sexual predator. |
| Hayden | Robert E. | Diocese of Columbus OH | Convicted | Bro. Robert Hayden, a/k/a “Paul” Hayden, worked with the disabled and homeless in several cities before he was sentenced to one year in prison for sexually abusing mentally retarded men at a group home in Columbus OH. |
| Heimann | David | Diocese of Columbus OH | Accused | On staff at Pontifical College Josephinum Seminary in Columbus OH 1958- 1961, dismissed when found to be running a sex ring involving high school boys. Laicized in 1963. |
| Hoffman | Louis E. | Diocese of Columbus OH | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/1/2019. Died 12/7/1975. Allegation noted to have been received after his death. |
| Hunt | Robert | Diocese of Columbus OH | Accused | Named publicly by the Columbus diocese on its list 3/1/2019. Deceased. |
| Hutson | James L. | Diocese of Columbus OH | Guilty plea | Ordained in 1982, assigned to St. Paul’s in Westerville, pleaded guilty to molesting a boy under 13, sentenced to two years in prison, died in 1998. |
| Keane | Timothy | Diocese of Columbus OH | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the Columbus diocese on its list 3/1/2019. Assigned in MA, CA and OH. Left the priesthood and married. Died in FL at age 90 in 2011. |
| Jacobs | Philip J. | Diocese of Columbus OH | Convicted | Arrested in 2010 as he disembarked from a plane in Victoria, BC, after news of allegations in Columbus, OH. Found guilty in 2013 of sexually touching a boy, sentenced to two years’ probation with a five-month conditional sentence. |
| Lavelle | Raymond E. | Diocese of Columbus OH | Accused | A man reported that Lavelle raped him when he was a 14-year-old altar boy in 1997 in the sacristy of St. Joan of Arc in Powell. The diocese’s review board found the allegation credible and warranted further investigation. |
| Loyd | Frederick A. | Diocese of Columbus OH | Accused | A 15-year-old boy was sexually abused by Loyd for two years, beginning in 1985, while assigned to St. Francis de Sales in Newark, OH. Loyd was removed from active ministry in 2006. |
| Luchi | Robert H. | Diocese of Columbus OH | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/1/2019. Noted to have left ministry. Died 11/25/2017. |
| Lutz | Kevin | Diocese of Columbus OH | Accused | Lutz was placed on leave after an allegation of sexual abuse of a 14-year-old boy in 1984. |
| McClory | Bernard J. | Diocese of Columbus OH | Accused | Named publicly by the diocese as accused on its list 3/9/2019. Retired in 1997. Died 11/21/2015. Per his obituary, McClory “served on a number of diocesan boards, committees and commissions.” |
| Mathewson | Dean A. | Diocese of Columbus OH | Accused | A priest was placed on leave after an allegation that he sexually abused a minor. |
| McLaughlin | Thomas L. | Diocese of Columbus OH | Convicted | Sentenced to 18 months in prison for sexually molesting a 12-year-old boy, pleaded guilty, and was laicized after his release. |
| Ritchey | Samuel E. | Diocese of Columbus OH | Accused | A man spoke publicly in 2016 about being molested by Ritchey at age 16. His mother was a cousin of newly ordained and later Bishop Nienstedt, who introduced Ritchey to the man. |
| Schaefer | Francis R. | Diocese of Columbus OH | Sued | Accused of abusing six boys at a parish in 1962, but no action taken until 1970. Moved to new parish where he allegedly abused again 1970-1975. |
| Schilder | David | Diocese of Columbus OH | Accused | Schilder was first named as credibly accused by the diocese in 12/2019, and was placed on administrative leave in 9/2019. He was also included on the Lexington diocese’s list updated 3/5/2020. |
| Schmidt | Robert R. | Diocese of Columbus OH | Accused | Monsignor. Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/1/2019. Died 11/29/2004. Allegation noted to have been received after his death. |
| Shaffer | Fintan | Diocese of Columbus OH | Settled | In 1985, there were allegations that Brother Fintan had abused residents of a home for mentally handicapped in Columbus OH. The case was settled in 1997. |
| Spires | Theodore J. | Diocese of Columbus OH | Accused | “Ted.” Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/1/2019. Deceased. Laicized. Noted to have been accused after his death. |
| Sprenger | Alan M. | Diocese of Columbus OH | Accused | Sprenger was named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/1/2019, and noted to have been accused after his death. |
| Tague | John P. | Diocese of Columbus OH | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/1/2019. Died 6/15/1983. Noted to have been accused after his death. |
| Tumeo | George | Diocese of Columbus OH | Accused | Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 3/1/2019. Laicized. |
| Weithman | Martin | Diocese of Columbus OH | Settled | Weithman was placed on leave in 2002 after an allegation that he molested a teenage boy over a 6-year period in the late 1980s. He was laicized in 2005. |
| Zuccarelli | Lisa | Diocese of Columbus OH | Accused | A woman alleged that Zuccarelli molested her in 1982 when she was a student at Fisher Catholic High School in Lancaster. The Order removed Zuccarelli from ministry and restricted her from unsupervised contact with minors and former students. |
| Bernas | Elwood “Woody” | Diocese of Steubenville OH | Accused | Bernas was first named as accused on the Steubenville diocese’s list 10/31/2018. He was suspended from ministry in 1986, moved to Minneapolis, MN to become a therapist, and worked at Hazelton Center for chemically dependent men. |
| Bonadies | Kenneth P. | Diocese of Steubenville OH | Settled | Bonadies was ordained for the Diocese of Steubenville, was absent on leave for four years, and then assigned in 1980 to St. Bartholomew’s in Manchester, CT. He was allegedly removed from ministry in 2018 and died in 8/2021. |
| Brown | Robert A. | Diocese of Steubenville OH | Accused | Brown is accused of abusing a boy during a rectory overnight in 1970, and of abusing three of the boy’s cousins on other occasions. He retired in 1984 and died in 1991. |
| Danko | Vincent B. | Diocese of Steubenville OH | Accused | First named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 10/31/2018. Noted to have been suspended from ministry in 1971. Died 11/25/1991. |
| Foxhoven | Christopher | Diocese of Steubenville OH | Convicted | Pastor of Holy Cross and St. Mary of the Hill, suspended in 2018 after admitting to sexual contact with and abuse of a minor, impregnated a 17-year-old girl, charged with eight counts of sexual battery, pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to twelve years in prison. |
| Mulkern | Simeon Daniel | Diocese of Steubenville OH | Indicted | Named publicly in 4/2019by Franciscan University of Steubenville as credibly accused, after the University’s review of cases of unwanted sexual advances against students by clergy since the late 1960s. Mulkern died in 2016. |
| Froehlich | Mark J. | Diocese of Steubenville OH | Accused | The Steubenville diocese removed Froehlich from active ministry in 2018 after receiving credible allegations of sexual abuse by Froehlich. He was a monsignor in 1987, retired on 1/31/2014, and was a finance officer of the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Barnesville and prominent in the Rotary Club. |
| Goschke | Harold J. | Diocese of Steubenville OH | Accused | Goschke was first named publicly as accused on the Steubenville Diocese’s list 10/31/2018. He was suspended from ministry in 1957, and was working at parishes in the Diocese of Stockton, CA by 1966. |
| Harris | Kenneth L. | Diocese of Steubenville OH | Accused | Harris was first named publicly as accused on the Diocese of Steubenville’s list 10/31/2018. He was suspended from ministry in 1963, and died 6/22/1964. |
| Hellmer | Michael D. | Diocese of Steubenville OH | Accused | Monsignor. First named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 10/31/2018. Noted to have been suspended from ministry in 1989. Died in FL in 1996. |
| Holmes | John | Diocese of Steubenville OH | Accused | First named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 10/31/2018. Noted to have been suspended from ministry in 1989. Deceased. |
| Marrer | Robert F. | Diocese of Steubenville OH | Accused | Accused in 1995 of the sexual abuse, including rape, of a 3- to 6-year-old girl in 1967-1970. Marrer took a leave of absence in 1971 and died in 1996. Included on the Steubenville diocese’s list 10/31/2018. |
| Martinkosky | Joseph A. | Diocese of Steubenville OH | Accused | First named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 10/31/2018. Noted to have been suspended from ministry in 1991. |
| McGuire | Conrad | Diocese of Steubenville OH | Accused | Also called John. Named publicly as credibly accused by Franciscan University in 4/2019. “Friar John McGuire, formerly Father Conrad McGuire.” Laicized in 1988. |
| Nadzam | John B. | Diocese of Steubenville OH | Accused | The Diocese of Erie PA announced 4/2009 that it had received a substantiated allegation of sexual abuse in the 1970s. Nadzam was suspended from ministry in 2004. |
| O’Donnell | Henry B. “Hugh” | Diocese of Steubenville OH | Accused | O’Donnell is accused of sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl in 1950, and of verbally abusing her at age 27. He died in 1982. |
| Peltz | Carl | Diocese of Steubenville OH | Settled | Peltz was ordained for the Diocese of Steubenville, Navy chaplain 1984-1987, and was accused of forcing a 12-year-old boy to drink whiskey, then raping him. He was exonerated in 2003 by the Kalamazoo diocesan review board. Accused in 2008 of making improper advances toward a boy, who claimed he was approached with that intention. |
| Plimmer | Walter J. | Diocese of Steubenville OH | Accused | Actor on Broadway prior to ordination. He was assigned to a Diocese of Trenton parish in 1944. Plimmer was a faculty member and public relations director at the College of Steubenville. First named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Steubenville on its list 10/31/2018. Suspended from ministry in 1956. |
| Rothbauer | Francis J. | Diocese of Steubenville OH | Sued | Rothbauer was removed from active ministry in 1988, and was accused of sexually abusing a girl in 1968-1972. He died in 2011 at age 83. |
| Tiesi | Samuel | Diocese of Steubenville OH | Accused | Named publicly as credibly accused by Franciscan University in 4/2019. Accused of the sexual abuse of young female college students. Died in 2001. |
| Zalenski | Gary | Diocese of Steubenville OH | Accused | Zalenski was suspended after an allegation deemed credible that he sexually assaulted a girl, age 9-11, 1989-1991 in Lore City, OH. He was transferred, denied the allegations, and was laicized in 2014. |
| Wright | Joel A. | Diocese of Steubenville OH | Convicted | Wright, a seminarian at Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus OH, was arrested in San Diego on charges related to trying to adopt and have sex with multiple female infants. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison and lifetime supervision. |
| Beauregard | Thomas Joseph | Diocese of Toledo OH | Accused | Accused of abusing at least three teenage girls while a religion instructor at Central Catholic High School, he was removed from his parish assignment in 1994 and barred from public ministry until at least 2002. |
| Beaver | Nelson G. | Diocese of Toledo OH | Accused | Pastor Beaver, who converted to Catholicism in 1969, was suspended in 10/2018 after an allegation he sexually abused a minor more than 25 years prior. He denied the allegation, and was sentenced by the Vatican to a life of prayer and penance. |
| Bohl | Ronald William | Diocese of Toledo OH | Settled | A priest was accused of making a sexual advance toward a minor in 1986. He was removed from a Louisville KY parish in 2002. |
| Burger | Karl L. | Diocese of Toledo OH | Accused | Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese in 4/2020. Alleged victim(s) came forward after Burger’s death. He died 9/13/1991. |
| Canfield | Francis E. | Diocese of Toledo OH | Accused | A former student told the Midwest Province Jesuits that Canfield sexually abused him during 1999-2000. Canfield was a teacher at St. John’s High School in Toledo 1990-2005. |
| Romo | Bernabe | Diocese of Toledo OH | Accused | After his retirement, the Toledo diocese quietly added his name to its list of those with substantiated allegations. |
| Doyle | Michael J. | Diocese of Toledo OH | Settled | Monsignor Doyle, director of Toledo Catholic Charities, was accused of sexually abusing a girl at St. Anthony’s Orphanage. The girl tried to tell the nuns but was punished and transferred to a residential school for girls for being defiant. |
| Fate | Albert A. | Diocese of Toledo OH | Accused | Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese in 4/2020. Alleged victim(s) came forward after Fate’s death. Included on the Diocese’s list. Died 6/16/1963. |
| Feltman | Philip S. | Diocese of Toledo OH | Reinstated | A woman complained in 2002 that Feltman abused her when she was age 9 in 1972 at St. Thomas Aquinas parish. The Vatican found no evidence to support the claims and Feltman was returned to ministry. |
| Fisher | Robert J. | Diocese of Toledo OH | Guilty plea | A priest was convicted of sexual offenses against a 14-year-old girl in 1987. He was placed on leave in 2002 and permanently removed from public ministry in 2005. |
| Gallen | John J. | Diocese of Toledo OH | Settled | New York Province Jesuit accused of abuse of 16-year-old boy in 1980 in Toledo, OH and in CA. Settlement in 1994 for $50K. Died 4/17/2011. |
| Garand | Frederick A. | Diocese of Toledo OH | Accused | In 1982, Garand was murdered in Florida. Police interviewed two youths who said they were abused by Garand and that there were other victims. |
| Geiger | William | Diocese of Toledo OH | Settled | Three men filed a suit against the diocese alleging they were sexually abused as children in the 1970s by Geiger and another Redemptorist priest, at a Lima OH parish. The suit was settled in 2004. |
| Gray | Dennis L. | Diocese of Toledo OH | Sued | Gray was sued in 2002 and 2003, laicized in 1994, and died in 2019. He may have been trying to join Blessed John Catholic Church in Perrysburg, OH. |
| Hemstreet | John G. | Diocese of Toledo OH | Guilty plea | Hemstreet left active ministry in 1987, was arrested in 1992 for sexually abusing a 10-year-old boy, pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to 90 days in jail. He died in 2007. |
| Kokocinski | Bernard | Diocese of Toledo OH | Settled | Sued twice in 2002, arrested at least three times for improper sexual activity, barred from active ministry, dismissed from the clerical state. |
| Liston | Richard S. | Diocese of Toledo OH | Accused | Accused of raping a teenager in Norwalk in 1978. Quietly transferred by the Diocese at least twice, removed from public ministry in 1989, died in 1994. |
| Lucas | C. Neil | Diocese of Toledo OH | Accused | Lucas was placed on leave in 12/2002 after allegations of sexual abuse. He was permanently removed from public ministry in 3/2004. |
| McCullen | John L. | Diocese of Toledo OH | Accused | McCullen was named publicly as accused by the Toledo diocese on its list in 3/2004. He was barred from public ministry and died 11/24/2013. |
| McLaughlin | Michael P. | Diocese of Toledo OH | Sued | Sued in 2003, accused of abuse of an 11-year-old boy in 1980, barred from ministry in 1990, and included on the Diocese’s list in 2005. Laicization in process in 2020. |
| Meiring | Thomas E. | Diocese of Toledo OH | Sued | A man filed a civil suit against Meiring in 2/2006, alleging abuse by Meiring when he was age 15; Meiring denied the allegations and asked to be laicized in 1983; not granted until 2016. |
| Miller | Richard G. | Diocese of Toledo OH | Sued | A man filed suit against a priest at SS Peter and Paul in South Toledo, alleging that he was molested from ages 8-14. The case was dismissed with prejudice, and the priest died in 2009. |
| Nieset | Frank | Diocese of Toledo OH | Accused | Parish priest, high school teacher, name quietly added to diocese’s list of those with substantiated allegations, received after Nieset’s death. |
| Pinter | Alexander | Diocese of Toledo OH | Sued | From Hungary, he was assigned in the Toledo diocese in 1946, and later in 1974 he became parish priest in Louisiana. He was accused of abuse in 1956-1960, and was included on the Toledo diocese’s list in 2019. |
| Pucci | Joseph J. | Diocese of Toledo OH | Settled | Pucci was accused by two women of molesting them when they were young teenagers in the 1950s. A man reported that Pucci molested him as a child in 1980 at a rectory in Palm Beach, FL. |
| Punnoor | Samuel | Diocese of Toledo OH | Accused | Punnoor was placed on leave after an allegation of child sexual abuse was made against him by the Toledo Diocese. He abandoned ministry in 2016. |
| Jr. | Herbert M. Richey, | Diocese of Toledo OH | Settled | Accused of abusing several youths, forced from the priesthood in 1992 and laicized in 1997, found working as a music director/organist in another Toledo parish, banned in 2002, died in 2020. |
| Rogers | Stephen G. | Diocese of Toledo OH | Convicted | Religion teacher at Central Catholic High School, caught with internet child pornography, was sentenced to 21 months prison, served 18 months, and was permanently removed from public ministry in 2006. |
| Robinson | Gerald J. | Diocese of Toledo OH | Convicted | Placed on leave 2003 or 2004. Accused of sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl in 1978 at Mercy Hospital; convicted of ritual murder in 1980 of a nun at Mercy Hospital; sentenced to 15 years in prison. |
| Roth | James H. | Diocese of Toledo OH | Accused | A man reported to Roth’s order sexual abuse multiple times by the priest when he was a 9- or 10-years-old, fourteen years prior. Roth was removed from position on a Toronto school board, and died of suspected suicide. |
| Scharf | Lawrence C. | Diocese of Toledo OH | Accused | Scharf was placed on leave in 2002 after allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor. He was later barred from ministry. |
| Schmelzer | Joseph M. | Diocese of Toledo OH | Sued | In 2002 a man alleged that Schmelzer abused him as a teenager 1983-1985. In 2005 the Review Board found the claims credible and Schmelzer was permanently removed from the St. Wendelin rectory. |
| Schmit | George A. | Diocese of Toledo OH | Accused | Named publicly as credibly accused by the Diocese on its list in 4/2020. Died 8/7/1984. Allegation(s) reported after his death. Included on the Diocese’s list. |
| Shiffler | John C. | Diocese of Toledo OH | Sued | A lawsuit was filed in 2002 against Shiffler and Gray, and Shiffler admitted to abusing a boy and another youth in the mid-1980s. He was permanently removed from active ministry in 2006. |
| Shrimplin | Glen | Diocese of Toledo OH | Settled | Two men filed a civil suit in 2003 claiming abuse as boys by Shrimplin in the 1970s. Shrimplin said he left the active diaconate of his own accord in 1987, but was removed from active diaconal ministry. |
| Thomas | Robert Ronald | Diocese of Toledo OH | Accused | Placed on leave in 2002 due to allegations of abuse of a minor, admitted the abuse, sent for therapy, reassigned to Holy Trinity in Bucyrus OH, and permanently removed from public ministry in 2007. |
| Tynan | J. Michael | Diocese of Toledo OH | Guilty plea | Tynan, a 45-year-old ordained deacon, was placed on leave after being investigated by US Customs for possession of child pornography. He was criminally charged in 2006 and sentenced to three years in prison. |
| Varney | Lawrence F. | Diocese of Toledo OH | Accused | Varney, a retired instructor at Toledo Central Catholic High School, was placed on leave and barred from public ministry after credible allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor. |
| Warren | Chester John | Diocese of Toledo OH | Settled | Chet was accused of abusing more than 10 girls, was expelled from the order in 1993, and was laicized in 2007. He is listed on the Detroit archdiocese’s list of credibly accused. |
| Welch | Leo Patrick | Diocese of Toledo OH | Sued | Welch was accused of abusing at least two boys from 1959 to 1961, while assigned to Immaculate Conception in Bellevue, OH. He was fired in 2002 and included on the Diocese’s list in 2005. |
| Wojciechowski | Stanislaus | Diocese of Toledo OH | Accused | Named publicly as credibly accused by the Diocese on its list in 4/2020. Allegation(s) were reported to the diocese after Wojciechowski’s death. Died 11/5/1979. Included on the Diocese’s list. |
| Zacharias | Michael J. | Diocese of Toledo OH | Convicted | Zacharias made a confession video in 2015, in which he admitted to performing oral sex on a then-adult victim. He was placed on leave by the Diocese. Zacharias groomed three victims as young boys for “commercial sex acts”, waiting for them to become destabilized enough to propose the sex involvement for money to purchase drugs. |
| Yeager | Robert J. | Diocese of Toledo OH | Settled | Yeager was placed on leave in 2006 after the investigation was completed and allegations were deemed credible. He was permanently removed from public ministry in 2008. |
| Babjak | Marian | Diocese of Youngstown OH | Accused | He was ordained in Slovakia, spent early priesthood there and in Austria, and arrived in the Youngstown diocese in 2006, assisting at St. Rose in Girard while studying at Youngstown State University, then assigned to St. Paul in North Canton in 2017. |
| Bennett | Joseph R. | Diocese of Youngstown OH | Accused | First named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 10/29/2018. Assignments included parishes in Boardman, Youngstown, Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Struthers, Canton, Warren, Niles, Kingsville, and Geneva. Allegations were noted to have been made after Bennett’s death. |
| Bouchard | Denis G. | Diocese of Youngstown OH | Reinstated | Pastor Bouchard was placed on leave in 11/2018 after a man reported to the Diocese that he sexually abused him as a boy, ages 9-11. The Diocese found no sufficient evidence in the case and reinstated Bouchard. |
| Briffa | Emmanuel | Diocese of Youngstown OH | Accused | Briffa was named publicly as accused by the Midwest Province in 2018 and was dismissed from the order in 1963. |
| Burns | Robert M. | Diocese of Youngstown OH | Convicted | Burns worked in the Diocese of Youngstown 1975-1981, where he sexually abused minors. He was removed from active ministry in 1991, pleaded guilty to molesting two youths in 1996, and served three years of an eight-year sentence. |
| Cipar | Daniel P. | Diocese of Youngstown OH | Accused | Named publicly as credibly accused by the Youngstown diocese in 2020, and by the Diocese of Rockford in 2020. He was included on the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart U.S. Province list of credibly accused in 2023. |
| Crum | Thomas J. | Diocese of Youngstown OH | Settled | Crum was removed from teaching in 2009 after allegations of sexual misconduct with a teenage student more than 30 years prior. He was accused of sexually abusing a boy, age 12, in 1981 while assigned to St. Christine’s in Youngstown. |
| Cunningham | John P. | Diocese of Youngstown OH | Accused | Pastor of St. Philip and St. James in Canal Fulton 1969-1983. Died in 1989. First named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 10/29/2018. Allegations were made after Cunningham’s death. |
| Curran | Gerald X. | Diocese of Youngstown OH | Accused | Died in 2008. First named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 10/29/2018. Allegations noted to have been reported after his death. |
| Dupont | Guy Bernard | Diocese of Youngstown OH | Accused | First named publicly as accused on the Youngstown diocese’s list 10/29/2018. On the Dominicans’ St. Joseph Province list in late 2018. Removed from public ministry in 2018 due to credible allegation of abuse occurring in 1982 or 1983. |
| Esposito | Anthony Michael | Diocese of Youngstown OH | Accused | First named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 10/29/2018. Assignments included St. Aloysius in East Liverpool, St. Rose in Girard, the YU Newman Club, Newman Apostolate, and the Columbiana Deanery of Priests. |
| Evrit | Richard C. | Diocese of Youngstown OH | Accused | Allegations date to the early 1970s. He was assigned to St Paul in Salem, Holy Family in Poland, St Paul in Canton, St Patrick in Kent, St Pius X in Warren, and St Charles in Morganton NC. |
| Feicht | Joseph A. | Diocese of Youngstown OH | Accused | Named publicly as credibly accused by the Youngstown diocese on its list updated 3/5/2020. Allegations made after his death. Died in 1965. |
| Fondriest | James M. | Diocese of Youngstown OH | Accused | First named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 10/29/2018. Leave of Absence in 1994 from St. Joseph’s in Mantua, where he was pastor. Went on to marry. Died in Estero, FL 7/17/2021. |
| Formichelli | Ernest | Diocese of Youngstown OH | Accused | First named publicly as accused on 10/29/2018, revoked teaching license in 2013 after two people alleged abuse. |
| Galganski | Joseph | Diocese of Youngstown OH | Accused | Monsignor. First named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 10/29/2018. Retired in 1980. Died 7/22/1992. Allegations noted to have been reported after his death. |
| Gallagher | John P. | Diocese of Youngstown OH | Accused | First named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 10/29/2018. Allegation noted to have been reported after his death. Died 1/3/1974. |
| Gallagher | Henry M. | Diocese of Youngstown OH | Accused | Ordained in Boston for the Diocese of Kansas City, worked in parishes for several years, then was “awaiting appointment”. Assigned as chaplain to a hospice, then a hospital, then retired in 1965. |
| Gubser | Paul L. | Diocese of Youngstown OH | Accused | First named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 10/29/2018. Assignments included parishes in Youngstown, Warren, Ravenna, Conneaut, Struthers, McDonald, Canton, Summitville, Salineville, Dungannon and Rootstown. Retired in 7/2002. Died 2/25/2006. |
| Hammer | John E. | Diocese of Youngstown OH | Sued | Father Jack Hammer was removed from the priesthood in 2002 after admitting to abuse of an altar boy 1980-1983. He worked as a hospital chaplain in the Baltimore archdiocese until 1990, when he was transferred to the Saginaw MI diocese. |
| Hennessey | James R. | Diocese of Youngstown OH | Accused | First named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 10/29/2018. Assignments included St. Nicholas in Struthers, Immaculate Conception in Wellsville, Mother of Sorrows in Ashtabula and St. Therese in Brewster. Allegations noted to have been received after Hennessey’s death. |
| Hill | Robert E. | Diocese of Youngstown OH | Convicted | A priest was arrested and convicted of compelling prostitution in 1991. He served two years in prison and was suspended by the diocese. |
| Hohman | William H. | Diocese of Youngstown OH | Accused | Ordained for the Marianists, taught high school, Trinity College, and Mercy Hospital, and retired in 1980. Named publicly as credibly accused in 2020. |
| Kelly | Thomas F. | Diocese of Youngstown OH | Accused | First named publicly as accused on the Diocese of Youngstown’s list 10/29/2018. Noted to be deceased. Assignments included St. Columba Cathedral, and parishes in Garrettsville, Ashtabula, Youngstown, Liverpool and Campbell. |
| Lyons | John F. | Diocese of Youngstown OH | Accused | Ordained in Ireland. First named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 10/29/18. Allegations noted to have been received after Lyons’ death. |
| Marrokal | Donald P. | Diocese of Youngstown OH | Accused | First named publicly as accused on the Youngstown diocese’s list 10/29/2018. Died in 2007. |
| McCarthy | Thomas Bertrand | Diocese of Youngstown OH | Accused | McCarthy was named publicly as accused on 11/9/2018, and was noted to be deceased in late 2018. |
| Oser | Donald J. | Diocese of Youngstown OH | Accused | First named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 10/29/2018. Assignments included parishes in Geneva, Austintown, Struthers, Boardman, Hubbard, Alliance, Youngstown, Columbiana, Warren, Canton and North Canton. Died 10/23/2012. |
| Parillo | John R. | Diocese of Youngstown OH | Accused | First named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 10/29/2018. Allegations noted to have been reported after Parillo’s death. |
| Reidy | Robert E. | Diocese of Youngstown OH | Sued | Monsignor Reidy admitted abusing two brothers as children in the 1960s and was removed from the ministry and retired as of 4/2002. A civil suit was filed in 2002. |
| Ryan | John E. | Diocese of Youngstown OH | Accused | First named publicly as accused on the Youngstown diocese’s list 10/29/2018. Noted to be deceased. Assignments included parishes in Boardman, Poland, Massillon, Canal Fulton, Warren and Youngstown. |
| Sabatino | Robert A. | Diocese of Youngstown OH | Accused | Monsignor. First named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 10/29/2018. Died 7/17/2017. |
| Schmidt | John W. | Diocese of Youngstown OH | Accused | First named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 10/29/2018. Among assignments were parishes in Massillon, Ashtabula, Youngstown, Canton, Lisbon and Sebring. Died 2/10/2003. |
| Santucci | Louis | Diocese of Youngstown OH | Accused | First named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 10/29/2018. Assignments included St. Patrick’s in Hubbard, Ursuline High School, Cardinal Mooney High School, St. Joseph’s in Maximo, Regina Coeli in Alliance, and Immaculate Conception in Ravenna. |
| Smaltz | William B. | Diocese of Youngstown OH | Indicted | Smaltz was first named publicly as accused on the diocese’s list 10/29/2018. In 5/2020 his name was removed from the list because the allegations were no longer deemed credible and substantiated. |
| Vazquez | Jose | Diocese of Youngstown OH | Accused | First named publicly on the Youngstown diocese’s list updated 11/9/2018. Noted to have worked St. Aloysius in East Liverpool, St. Joseph’s in Canton and St. Charles in Boardman. |
| Warner | John F. | Diocese of Youngstown OH | Accused | Bishop Murray removed Warner from his assignment as pastor in 2011 after allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor more than 30 years previously. Warner denied the allegations. |
| Zapitelli | Francis | Diocese of Youngstown OH | Accused | Zapitelli was removed from public ministry in 2018 after an allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor in the mid-1970s. |
About Clergy Sexual Abuse
Clergy sexual abuse involves inappropriate sexual conduct by a clergy member towards a minor or vulnerable young people. The impact on victims is devastating and causes long-term psychological trauma, emotional distress, and a loss of faith. For this reason, seeking legal action against credibly accused clergy is necessary to achieving justice while preventing such incidents in the future.
In Ohio, the legal proceedings involve collecting proof, filing a complaint, and pursuing civil claims through discovery, negotiations, and potentially a trial. Survivors are encouraged to come forward, ensuring that the accused diocesan clerics are held accountable for their actions.
Legal Support for Survivors in Ohio
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers promises top-notch legal support for survivors who are sexually abused in Ohio. Our professional legal team is highly experienced in handling abuse cases involving accused clerics while making sure that survivors receive the justice and compensation they are looking for. With a dedicated approach, we guide you through every step of the legal proceedings so that you can easily navigate complex legal challenges.
Laws and Regulations in Ohio
Ohio has implemented specific laws to address clergy and child sexual abuse cases.
Statute of Limitations: The state has extended the statute of limitations, allowing victims to file civil claims until they reach the age of 30 or within 12 years of discovering the alleged abuse. For criminal lawsuits, the statute of limitations for victims of childhood sexual abuse is capped at age 43, with another five years granted if DNA is found within 25 years.
Mandatory Reporting Laws: Ohio mandates that church personnel report any abuse to local child protective services or law enforcement authorities to ensure timely intervention. This obligation overrides any claims of confidentiality or privilege, including those that might arise in the context of confession.
Recent Legislative Changes: Legislative changes, such as Senate Bill 162, have significantly enhanced legal protection for survivors. This bill extends the statute of limitations for civil claims and eliminates it for criminal prosecutions, reflecting a robust commitment to justice for victims.
Filing a Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawsuit in Ohio
Filing a clergy sexual abuse lawsuit in Ohio involves careful preparation and a clear understanding of legal procedures.
- Confidential Initial Consultation: Initiate by contacting Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers to discuss your case and explore your legal options in a confidential setting.
- Evidence Collection: Collaborate with our legal team to collect evidence such as medical records, therapy notes, witness statements, and any documentation related to the abuse.
- Complaint Filing: Our attorneys will draft and file a legal complaint in the appropriate Ohio court, outlining the allegations and legal basis for the lawsuit.
- Discovery Process: Both parties will exchange evidence and information through depositions and document requests.
- Settlement Negotiations: We’ll negotiate a settlement through our lawyers to reach a fair resolution. If a settlement is not reached, the case proceeds to trial.
- Trial Proceedings: The evidence and arguments are presented before a judge or jury, who will announce the final verdict.
- Post-Trial: Either party may appeal the verdict if there are grounds to believe legal errors affected the outcome. If the plaintiff wins and no appeal is filed, steps are taken to collect the awarded damages.
Are you a victim of clergy sexual abuse and seeking justice in Ohio? Contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers and get professional legal assistance right away.
Support Resources for Survivors in Ohio
For survivors of clergy sexual abuse in Ohio, several resources are available to provide essential support and aid in recovery:
- Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence (OAESV)
Provides critical services, including crisis intervention, therapeutic counseling, and advocacy. They support survivors, which can be explored further on their official website. - Regional Rape Crisis Centers
Scattered across Ohio, these centers offer confidential support, therapy, and legal advocacy tailored to survivors’ needs. Find your nearest center through the Ohio Rape Crisis Centers Locator. - National Sexual Assault Hotline
This hotline, 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), is available 24/7 and helps survivors connect with local resources and immediate support.
Remember, accessing legal assistance and emotional support is vital for survivors, as it ensures they receive the comprehensive care necessary to pursue justice.
Notable Cases and Outcomes in Ohio
Like other states, Ohio has also seen several notable clergy sexual abuse cases that have resulted in major legislation to protect the survivors while punishing those who are accused. The case involving the deceased Joseph Williams ordained, led to substantial compensation for the survivors and brought attention to the issue of clergy abuse in the Cleveland Diocese.
Another case involving the deceased John Vovko, ordained, highlighted the importance of holding church officials accountable and ensuring transparency in handling abuse allegations. The deceased John Connor ordained, and deceased John Ciolek, ordained, both resulted in significant settlements and underscored the failures in reporting by church officials. Moreover, the case of the deceased Joseph Seminatore, ordained, was pivotal in setting legal standards for handling abuse claims. The deceased Donald Rooney, ordained, brought about significant changes in how the Diocese of Cleveland addresses certain allegations of abuse.
Similarly, the cases of deceased John Mueller ordained and deceased James Viall, ordained, further emphasized the widespread nature of abuse, resulting in policy changes within the diocese. Deceased Frank Klamet, ordained, deceased Edward Kickel, ordained, and deceased Liam Kitt, highlighted ongoing issues within the diocese and the need for continuous reforms.
Additionally, you can learn about similar cases by viewing the Cleveland diocese’s list of credibly accused using keywords, such as ministry Russell Banner, ministry Allen Bruening, ministry Julius Slapsak ordained, ministry Carl Wernet, and ministry Joseph Ehrbar, ordained, all of whom were removed from ministry.
Our attorneys have reviewed public and private settlement data related to Ohio clergy abuse settlements. Depending on the circumstances pertaining to your case, these cases may be fairly valued in the $400,000 to $950,000 range. In cases of extreme conduct or if that case were to go before a jury, damages could exceed $1 million.
Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers
Survivors of clergy sexual abuse in Ohio should choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers for our dedicated advocacy and specialized expertise. We have a solid track record of achieving desirable outcomes for our clients and winning favorable verdicts for survivors.
| $14 Million Priest grooming and handling | $4 Million Deacon assault and rape | $3 Million Clergy child abuse filed in adulthood |
| $3 Million Volunteer-perpetrated Catholic church abuse | $2 Million Religious school priest teen sexual abuse | $2 Million Clergy abuse case filed against a deceased priest |
Our team pursues each case with empathy and understanding, fully acknowledging the profound sadness and emotional impact of abuse. We are committed to seeking justice relentlessly by ensuring that those responsible are held accountable. At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we prioritize your needs and are here to support you throughout the entire legal process.
Contact Us
If you are a survivor of clergy sexual abuse in Ohio, we are here to help. Contact us today to discuss your case and learn how we can assist you.
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Email: info@rosenfeldinjurylaw.com
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All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.
