List of Accused Priests in Washington

With significant historical implications, clergy sexual abuse has deeply affected the Washington Catholic Diocese. At Injury Lawyer Team, we are dedicated to supporting survivors and helping them seek justice. Our firm is committed to holding abusers accountable and ensuring survivors receive the support they need.

Last Name	First Name	Diocese	Status	Accusations (Summary)
Axer	Englebert M.	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Settled	Seattle University received a report that Axer sexually abused a minor in 1956. The university removed his name from an endowed chair in the philosophy department.
Albrechtson	Dennis	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Accused	Deacon at St. Anthony’s in Renton in 1989. Name included on the archdiocese’s 1/15/2016 list of clergy and religious with established, admitted or credible allegations against them of sexual abuse of a minor.
Ashwell	G. Barry	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Settled	Accused of sexually abusing boys at St. Augustine’s in Oak Harbor, St. Joseph’s in Vancouver, and St. Vincent de Paul in Federal Way. Placed on leave, laicized, and listed on the Archdiocese’s list of credibly accused.
Boyle	Edmund J.	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Convicted	Convicted in 1987 of lewdness with a child in Reno, NV, sued in 2003, and settled claims in 2005. Accused of molesting at least 9 boys and girls in OR, WA, and NV, died in 1995.
Boyle	Edward C.	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Accused	Name included on Seattle archdiocese list of clergy accused of sexual abuse of minors.
	O’Sullivan	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Sued	In a civil suit filed 8/26/2010, one of three plaintiffs alleged that he was abused by Br. O’Sullivan in 1963-1964 at Briscoe Memorial School. The same man also alleged he was assaulted by Br. Croke at the same school.
	O’Donahue	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Sued	One of seven religious brothers accused in a civil suit filed in 1/2004 of abuse of three boys at Kent’s Briscoe Memorial School and/or O’Dea High School. Abuse is said to have occurred between the 1940s and 1960s.
Casale	Albert	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Settled	One of three plaintiffs alleged Casale groomed and sexually abused him in 1955 at Briscoe Memorial School in Kent, and was later abused by Br. Croke.
Champagne	Dennis	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Settled	A man told the archdiocese that Champagne had abused him as a boy in 1979. The Vatican permanently removed Champagne from public ministry in 2006, giving him “a life of prayer and penance”.
Cody	Michael J.	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Settled	Cody was admitted to sexually abusing 20-40 prepubescent girls and 1 boy, most recently several years prior. He was laicized in 2005, and the Seattle archdiocese settled with 8 women for $9.1M, including 6 in Burlington WA and 2 in Bellingham WA.
Conn	Paul Joseph	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Convicted	Conn was charged with five counts of indecent liberties with minors, pleaded guilty to six counts, and was sentenced to four years in prison. He was released from prison in 1991 and was required to register as a sex offender.
Conway	Patrick J.	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Accused	As part of the reorganization plan, the Society of Jesus, Oregon Province, agreed to post the names of all members who have been identified as perpetrators of sexual abuse.
Cornelius	John	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Settled	John Cornelius McKenna was a seminarian in Boise ID, ordained for the Archdiocese of Seattle, and was accused of sexual abuse of minors by at least 20 youths. He was laicized in 2004 and settled with the archdiocese in 2006.
Croke	Patrick	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Sued	Two of three plaintiffs alleged that they had been abused by Croke after they had already been abused by other religious brothers at Briscoe Memorial School.
Courtney	Edward C.	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Guilty plea	Accused of abuse of at least 55 boys, removed from order in 1983, worked in public schools in WA until accusations surfaced, pled guilty 1988 to indecent liberties, got two-years’ probation, settled for $1.9M in 2/2007. Courtney was accused by 52 of 400 claimants in a $16.5M settlement with the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers.
Crosby	Dolores	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Settled	Crosby entered the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary in 1952 and was an elementary school principal for 30 years. In 1999 she surrendered her teaching credentials after an allegation of sexual abuse in the 1980s.
Cruz	Mario M.	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Accused	Priest of the Archdiocese of Manila, accused by the Seattle archdiocese in 2/2021. Worked in the Diocese of Boise until 1985.
Delamere	Frank P.	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Settled	Delamere was listed by the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers as accused by at least two persons in claims settled in bankruptcy proceedings.
Donahue	William	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Accused	Deceased. Included on Seattle archdiocese’s list 1/15/2016 of clergy and religious with established, admitted or credible accusations against them of sexual abuse of a minor. Worked at Briscoe Memorial School in Kent WA 1924-1932, 1937-1946, 1961-1970.
Duffy	Philip	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Accused	Named Monsignor in 1963. Superintendent of Catholic schools 1947-1968. Died in 1987. Included on the archdiocese’s list in 8/2018. Report to the archdiocese in 2016 that Duffy sexually abused a minor in 1959 or 1960.
Dooley	Jerome	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Accused	A priest was named in a lawsuit for sexual abuse of a minor. He died in 1993.
Duffy	Patrick	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Settled	Three plaintiffs filed a civil suit in Seattle in 1/2004 against seven members of the Congregation of Christian Brothers, including Duffy, for sexual and physical abuse of minors at Briscoe Memorial School for Boys in Kent WA.
Dwyer	George	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Settled	A man filed two separate suits against the order and archdiocese, the second after an archive from Rome showed Dwyer had been expelled from the order in 1947 following an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse.
Fleckenstein	David	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Accused	Name included on the Seattle archdiocese’s list 1/15/2016 of clergy and religious with admitted, established or credible allegations against them of sexual abuse of a minor. Worked at St. Louise, Bellevue WA 1977-1979. Laicized.
Foyle	Dermot	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Accused	From Ireland. Worked in the Seattle archdiocese 1952-1969. Name included on the archdiocese’s 1/15/2016 list of clergy and religious with established, admitted or credible allegations against them of the sexual abuse of a minor[s].
Feeney	Leonard L.	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Sued	A civil suit filed in 2008 alleged Feeney abused a boy in the 1950s at St. Martin’s High School in Lacey, and a second suit filed in 2008 alleged abuse by Feeney in the mid-late 1950s. Feeney died in 1980.
Gandrau	James H.	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Settled	In 2005, Gandrau was permanently barred from ministry after allegations of child sexual abuse. A new suit was filed in 2016 claiming cover-up of alleged sexual abuse of a boy in 1967 at St. Mark’s in Shoreline.
Gregoire	Paul L.	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Reinstated	Gregoire was ordained for the Society of St. Sulpice, but was suspended after a woman accused him of sexual abuse.
Hau	Phan Huu	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Accused	From a Vietnam diocese. Worked at Holy Family in Seattle 1978-1988. Name included on the archdiocese’s 1/15/2016 list of clergy and religious with established, admitted or credible allegations against them of sexual abuse of a minor.
Hays	Michael	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Accused	Hays’ name was included on a list of clergy with credible allegations of sexual abuse of minors.
Hewitt	Gregory	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Accused	Served as deacon at All Saints in Puyallup 1979-1980. Laicized. Name included on the archdiocese’s 1/15/2016 list of clergy and religious with established, admitted or credible allegations against them of sexual abuse of a minor.
Jayawardene	Pantaleone	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Accused	From Sri Lanka, lived in the Pacific Northwest, and was listed as having sexual abuse allegations against him in 2016.
Jaeger	David Peter	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Settled	Former director of seminarians for archdiocese, Paul Jaeger approved known abuser Paul Joseph Conn for duties as archdiocesan priest. Jaeger admitted to improperly touching 8-10 boys at a CYO camp in the 1970s.
Kemp	Dennis W.	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Accused	Kemp was placed on leave from St. Monica’s on Mercer Island in 2007 after allegations of inappropriate conduct with a 12-year-old boy. The Vatican announced Kemp’s permanent removal from active ministry in 2010.
Kealy	Gerard Aloysius	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Settled	A man told the Archdiocese and the Order that Kealy had physically accosted him “in a sexual manner” in the early 1960s. The Archdiocese announced a $12.1M settlement of 30 claims against Kealy, Briscoe School and Bishop O’Dea High School.
Keys	Gordon L.	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Accused	The Society of Jesus, Oregon Province, posted the names of all members who are identified as perpetrators of sexual abuse on its website. Keys’ name is included on this list.
Knelleken	James	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Settled	A man filed a civil suit against Knelleken in 2007 alleging he molested him at age 13 multiple times in 1956 or 1957. He was placed on leave in 1988 after suspicions he was abusing children, and died in 2003.
Lackie	John B.	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Settled	Three men filed a civil suit against the Archdiocese and Order alleging they were beaten and sexually abused at Briscoe Memorial School in Kent. The school closed in 1970.
Lamm	Timothy J.	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Accused	Lamm worked at St. Martin’s Abbey/ University in Lacey, WA, and taught high school in WA, the Bahamas, Los Angeles and San Diego.
Ledwith	Micheál	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Accused	Monsignor Ledwith is accused of sexual abuse of boys in Ireland. He lived in Rainier WA 1994-2000s and was laicized.
Low	Lawrence	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Accused	Low’s name was included on the archdiocese’s list of clergy with credible allegations of sexual abuse of minors.
Linehan	David Anthony	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Sued	Accused of sexual abuse by two men as boys, and on the archdiocese’s list of clergy and religious with established, admitted or credible allegations of sexual abuse of a minor.
Lyness	Jerry Marie	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Settled	St. Patrick’s in Tacoma teacher named publicly as credibly accused of inappropriate touching in about 1982.
Marmo	Theodore	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Settled	Marmo was laicized and worked in the archdiocese until 1992. He was accused of abusing a child in the 1970s.
Marsh	John	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Settled	Marsh resigned from active priesthood in late 1988 and admitted to molesting about 10 boys. He was named in a 2002 civil suit by three brothers and their mother, and settled in 12/2003 for $425K.
McGreal	James	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Settled	McGreal admitted to molesting hundreds of boys, was moved many times, and sent for treatment. He was suspended from the priesthood in 2004 and died in 2011.
McManus	John P.	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Accused	Ordained in 1940 for the Diocese of Cleveland, joined the Sulpician Order in 1942, and worked for many years in the Archdiocese of Seattle.
McMahon	Patrick Desmond	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Settled	McMahon was assigned to eight parishes from 1960 until placed on medical leave in 1990. He was placed on administrative leave in 2002 after two accusers came forward, and was permanently removed from active ministry by the Vatican in 2004.
Mitchell	James	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Sued	Mitchell allegedly sexually abused two impoverished teen boys from Colombia for years. He was removed from the Archdiocese’s list of clergy and religious with admitted, established or credible allegations against him of sexual abuse of a minor.
Morin	Gerard A.	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Accused	Died in 1992, at age 89, after allegations of sexual abuse of a minor.
Moffat	Gerald	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Settled	Moffat was accused of abuse of a boy, ages 11-13, in the early 1970s. He was placed on leave in summer, 2002, and was permanently barred from active ministry in 2/2006.
Muehe	Dennis F.	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Sued	Accused of abuse of a boy while assigned to St. Anne parish in Queen Anne, director of Catholic Charities, died in 1994.
O’Brien	William J.	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Settled	From Ireland, he was ordained in 1925 and arrived in WA the same year. He was accused of sexual abuse of a minor in the 1950s-1960s.
O’Brien	Michael C.	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Settled	A teenage boy complained that O’Brien sexually abused him during a 1991 canoe trip. O’Brien was placed on leave in 1993, reassigned to a new parish in 1999, placed on leave again in 2004 and laicized in 2010.
O’Sullivan	Vincent	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Accused	Name included on Seattle archdiocese’s list 1/15/2016 of clergy and religious with admitted, established or credible allegations against them of sexual abuse of a minor. Worked at Briscoe Memorial School in Kent 1940-1950.
O’Neill	Patrick G.	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Sued	A woman sued O’Neill for sexual abuse when she attended St. Charles Borromeo School and Church in Tacoma in the early 1960s. O’Neill denied the allegations.
Ocana	Manuel C.	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Accused	Manuel Ocana, a priest from the Philippines, worked at several locations, including St. Joseph’s Residence and Providence Medical Center in Seattle. He died in 1995.
Phelan	Thomas J.	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Settled	Phelan was named publicly as credibly accused of child sexual abuse by the Seattle archdiocese.
Perry	Richard D.	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Accused	Perry was removed from his pastorate in Missoula, MT, after a woman alleged inappropriate contact. He was sent to the Sacred Heart Jesuit Center in Los Gatos, CA, under a safety plan.
Pitsch	Thomas	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Settled	Pitsch was named on the archdiocese’s list in 2016, after a man claimed abuse as a boy by Pitsch. Pitsch died in 1978.
Quick	William G.	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Accused	Died in 1986. Name included on the Archdiocese’s list 1/15/2016 of clergy and religious with established, admitted or credible allegations against them of the sexual abuse of a minor.
Racine	Leo	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Accused	Laicized. Name included on the Archdiocese’s list 1/15/2016 of clergy and religious with established, admitted or credible allegations against them of sexual abuse of a minor.
Quigg	Harold F.	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Settled	In the late 1990s, Quigg was accused of sexually abusing a 17-year-old girl. A review board found sufficient evidence to prove his actions were egregious, but Quigg continued to perform baptisms and other services and priestly duties at local parishes.
Receconi	Edward	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Accused	Placed on administrative leave by his superior after a recent allegation of abuse, Receconi was serving as a supply priest for the archdiocese.
Ryan	C.P.	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Settled	Deceased. Claims included in settlements with the Archdiocese and Order in 2008 and 2009, and in a civil suit filed in 2010 by three men.
Renggli	Robert	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Sued	A woman sought counseling in 1988, alleging abuse by Renggli when she was in high school. In 2005 she filed a lawsuit, alleging she did not understand the relationship between the counseling agency and the archdiocese.
Stohr	Richard W.	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Accused	Started Seattle’s Catholic Youth Organization in 1950. Died 9/25/1995. Name included on the archdiocese’s list 1/15/2016 of clergy and religious with established, admitted or credible allegations against them of sexual abuse of a minor.
Toner	James	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Sued	Toner was a priest at St. Benedict’s Mission in Tacoma, WA, and was named on the archdiocese’s list of clergy and religious with established, admitted or credible allegations against them of sexual abuse of a minor.
Trippy	Stephen	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Accused	Died 3/9/2013. Name included on the archdiocese’s 1/15/2016 list of clergy and religious with established, admitted or credible allegations against them of sexual abuse of a minor.
Warren	James V.	Archdiocese of Seattle WA	Sued	A civil suit was filed in 2004 against the Irish Christian Brothers for sexual abuse at Briscoe Memorial School for Boys and O’Dea High School. Other men have come forward with stories of their own to support these allegations.
Boulden	Garry	Diocese of Spokane WA	Sued	A woman filed a lawsuit in 2004 alleging that Boulden molested her beginning when she was age 12. He was removed from ministry in 2002 and placed on leave by the Seattle Police Dept. in 2/20 after public pressure.
Beaver	Reinard	Diocese of Spokane WA	Sued	Beaver was accused of sexual abuse of a minor in 1956 and 1957 at Fairchild Air Force Base swimming pool. He was removed from ministry in 1983 and retired in 1984.
Bradley	Theodore F. Xavier	Diocese of Spokane WA	Settled	A woman accused Bradley of using premarital counseling to break up her engagement and start an affair with her. She won a settlement, and Bradley was allowed to return to limited ministry.
Bradley	John	Diocese of Spokane WA	Accused	Bradley was named publicly as accused of abuse 1974-1976 on the Santa Barbara Province Franciscans list, and was assigned to parishes in Anaheim, Garden Grove, Dana Point and Capistrano Beach.
Burris	Francis	Diocese of Spokane WA	Accused	The Society of Jesus, Oregon Province, posted the names of all members of the province who are identified as perpetrators of sexual abuse on its website, without any additional information on claims against them.
Charlo	Victor	Diocese of Spokane WA	Accused	Seminarian. Named publicly as accused by the Helena diocese on its list 4/29/2015. Per the Jesuits West Province list 12/7/2018, Charlo was assigned 1961-1963 to Mount St. Michael’s in Spokane, and was dismissed in 1963.
Connolly	Berard William	Diocese of Spokane WA	Settled	Franciscan brother, accused of abuse in the early 1970s, died in 1999, and was listed on several lists of credibly accused, including the Oakland diocese’s list and the Santa Barbara Province Franciscans list.
Corkery	Paul F.	Diocese of Spokane WA	Accused	The Society of Jesus, Oregon Province, Reorganization Plan, posted the names of all members who were identified as perpetrators of sexual abuse on its website. Corkery’s name is included on this list.
Coughlin	John A.	Diocese of Spokane WA	Accused	Coughlin was accused of sexual abuse of a minor and was included on the Seattle archdiocese’s list of clergy and religious with admitted, established or credible allegations against them.
Doyle	Dominic W.	Diocese of Spokane WA	Sued	A woman claimed a priest had an improper relationship with her when she was 15 and he was nearly 60. The relationship continued into her adulthood.
Gates	James F.	Diocese of Spokane WA	Settled	Entered the Jesuit order in 1964. Accused of abuse by 15 women and 1 man while working at St. Mary’s Mission and School on the Colville Indian Reservation in the late 1960s-early 1970s.
Harrington	John S.	Diocese of Spokane WA	Accused	The Society of Jesus, OR Province, Reorganization Plan, posted on its website the names of all members who are identified as perpetrators of sexual abuse, and who have not denied the allegation. Harrington’s name is included on this list.
Knecht	Joseph	Diocese of Spokane WA	Settled	The Diocese acknowledged credible accusations against Knecht in 12/03, and seven plaintiffs filed civil suit(s) in 1/04 and 4/04, claiming abuse by Knecht at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Chewelah.
Koltzenburg	Otto	Diocese of Spokane WA	Accused	Native of Germany, ordained for the diocese of Spokane, author, and pastor at St. Mark’s in Shoreline and Holy Family in Auburn.
Kosak	Michael	Diocese of Spokane WA	Accused	Per statement released by Diocese of Spokane 11/07, Kosak, a seminary student, was named in accusation that was found to be admitted, credible or proven. He was dismisssed from seminary. No further information found.
Ladenburger	Louis Wayne	Diocese of Spokane WA	Guilty plea	Wayne (1963-1974), aka Louie, was arrested in 2007 for sexual battery of teenage boys at a school for troubled boys ID. He admitted to being a sex addict and was sentenced to five years in prison in 3/2008.
Lavoy	Marvin	Diocese of Spokane WA	Settled	Lavoy, Joseph Weitensteiner and others were accused of abuse of at least two boys at Morning Star Boy’s Ranch in the 1950s. Lavoy died in 1994.
Leary	John P.	Diocese of Spokane WA	Settled	In 1969, police ordered Leary to leave Spokane for sexually abusing teenage boys. Leary died in 1993 and Jesuit officials admitted to two recent settlements with victims.
Lent	James Walter	Diocese of Spokane WA	Arrested	Lent was on sabbatical from his job as an elementary school teacher when he was arrested in Spokane for having oral sex with a 13-year-old boy.
Marier	Edward	Diocese of Spokane WA	Sued	A woman sued Marier and Bishop William Skylstad over allegations that the priest possessed child pornography. The court dismissed the lawsuit in 3/07.
Ludwig	Augustine W.	Diocese of Spokane WA	Settled	A Marianist brother was accused of abuse of at least 5 teenage boys while principal at DeSales Catholic School in Spokane in the 1970s. He left the Marianists in 1980 and joined the Benedictines.
McDonald	John W.	Diocese of Spokane WA	Accused	McDonald was accused of abuse in the late 1940s through the 1950s at Bellarmine Preparatory High School in Tacoma, WA, and at St. Mary’s Indian Mission in Omak, WA.
Melia	Fenton J.	Diocese of Spokane WA	Accused	Melia was named in an accusation that was found to be admitted, credible or proven.
Mepingajira	Joseph	Diocese of Spokane WA	Sued	Mepingajira was named in a bankruptcy claim as having abused a person in 1995 at Mater Dei, a Spokane institute that offers religious education.
Mertens	Arthur C.	Diocese of Spokane WA	Settled	Mertens had been credibly accused of sexually abusing minors in the 1980s, and was removed from ministry in 1989. He continued to draw a pension.
O’Brien	John P.	Diocese of Spokane WA	Accused	O’Brien was accused of abuse in 1978 and 1980 and was included on the Jesuits West Province list in 2018.
Morse	John J.	Diocese of Spokane WA	Settled	Morse was accused of sexual abuse of children at several Jesuit schools, including St. Mary’s Mission and School on the Colville Indian Reservation. He was removed from ministry in 2006 and lived at a Jesuit residence in Spokane.
O’Donnell	Patrick G.	Diocese of Spokane WA	Settled	Removed in 1985, sanctioned in 1984 for abuse while a priest, license permanently removed in 1/2004, named in new suit in 2/2008 by four plaintiffs, admitted guilt and settled in 11/2008 for $5M but unable to pay. Laicized.
O’Grady	Peter P.	Diocese of Spokane WA	Settled	O’Grady was ordained in Ireland and worked in parishes and schools in the Archdiocese of Seattle and Diocese Spokane WA, Great Falls and Helena MT, Boise City ID and Portland OR. A woman filed a suit against O’Grady in 2004.
O’Malley	James J.	Diocese of Spokane WA	Settled	O’Malley was accused of sexually abusing youths in the late 1950s-early 1960s. He was removed from active priesthood in 1989.
Oosterman	Bernard	Diocese of Spokane WA	Settled	Three brothers sued the Spokane diocese in 2003, and the Anchorage archdiocese in 2004. Oosterman was included on the list of 1/16/20 priests for sexual misconduct with a minor in 1978.
Pierre	Eugene E.	Diocese of Spokane WA	Accused	Pierre is listed on the Society of Jesus, Oregon Province, website as a perpetrator of sexual abuse. He was assigned to Mount St. Michael’s in Spokane, WA during the years of the alleged abuse.
Pineau	Joseph	Diocese of Spokane WA	Accused	Pineau was credibly accused of sexual misconduct about 36 years prior, and died in 1982 at age 83.
Pypers	Theophilus	Diocese of Spokane WA	Accused	From Belgium, ordained in 1901, monsignor in 1941, pastor of St. Ann’s for 46 years, vicar general of the diocese 1939-55, died in 1957, age 78.
Ryan	William J.	Diocese of Spokane WA	Accused	Ryan spent much of his career at Indian schools and reservations in Montana, Idaho and Washington, and was included on the Jesuits West Province list in 2018.
Schweich	Ramona	Diocese of Spokane WA	Settled	Schweich was accused of sexually abusing a 16-year-old girl. He settled the case for $120K.
Skylstad	William	Diocese of Spokane WA	Sued	A proof of claims was filed against him in 2006 as part of the Spokane Diocese’s bankruptcy.
Sondergeld	Joseph	Diocese of Spokane WA	Settled	Monsignor Sondergeld was accused of abusing at least three minors. One man filed suit in 2003, and two others came forward in the 1940s in Spokane.
Toulouse	Michael T.	Diocese of Spokane WA	Settled	Professor of philosophy at Seattle University, accused of abusing a 12-year-old boy in 1968. He was included on the Seattle archdiocese’s list in 2016 and the Jesuits West Province list in 2018.
Trautman	Benjamin A.	Diocese of Spokane WA	Accused	Trautman was accused of abuse in 1956-1963, 1961-1969 and 1999. He died in 1999.
Sullivan	Jerry	Diocese of Spokane WA	Accused	Sullivan was accused of sexual misconduct and was dismissed by the Diocese of Spokane.
Uhlenkott	Gary D.	Diocese of Spokane WA	Convicted	Professor of music at Gonzaga University, spent $1600 on child sex abuse images, removed from job, sentenced to six months in jail, included on the Jesuit West Province’s list.
Webster	Wynn	Diocese of Spokane WA	Accused	Wynn was removed from ministry in 7/03 after allegations that he violated Church guidelines for ministers in their interactions with minors.
Vevik	Paul	Diocese of Spokane WA	Accused	Vevik, a priest of the Spokane Diocese, was accused of assaulting a person in 1978. He denied the claims.
Weitensteiner	Joseph	Diocese of Spokane WA	Settled	Weitensteiner, Marvin Lavoy and others were accused of abuse of two boys at Morning Star Boys Ranch, but the jury decided in favor of the defendants.
Wetzler	Daniel	Diocese of Spokane WA	Accused	Retired in 2002, placed on leave in 2002 after allegation of molestation in 1966, returned to active status in 2003, placed on leave again in 2014, permanently removed in 2014, and submitted to a monitoring program.
Breen	Christopher	Diocese of Yakima WA	Settled	A woman filed a civil suit against Breen, alleging abuse from 1968-1972. The suit was settled in 3/2011 for $287.5K, and Breen was named in a second suit in 11/2010 for doing nothing.
Davalle	Robert	Diocese of Yakima WA	Guilty plea	Davalle was ordained a permanent deacon in 1986, assigned to Christ the King in Richland. A 15-year-old girl told her youth group leader that Davalle molested her when she was younger, and he admitted to the abuse.
Dolan	Sean	Diocese of Yakima WA	Settled	Two women filed suit against Dolan in 2010 alleging abuse between 1967 and 1975 at St. Paul Cathedral. The parish pastor was also later accused of knowing of the abuse and doing nothing.
Funari	Paul	Diocese of Yakima WA	Settled	Arrived in WA from Puerto Rico in 1952, was named publicly as accused, and had voluntarily left ministry.
Gallagher	Brian T.	Diocese of Yakima WA	Accused	From Ireland. Arrived in WA several months after ordination. Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 7/9/2019. It notes that Gallagher was returned to ministry after treatment, and retired in 1991. Died 7/29/2008.
Graaff	Joseph A.	Diocese of Yakima WA	Settled	A girl, ages 9-11, filed a lawsuit against Graaff, a priest, in 2010 but the suit was dismissed in 2013 because of insufficient evidence.
Santos	Gustavo Gomez	Diocese of Yakima WA	Sued	Gomez Santos was removed from public ministry in 2017 for forcible fondling of a teenage boy, but denied the allegation, and admitted giving alcohol, massages and gifts to minors, including trips to Disneyland. He was laicized in 2022.
Hagel	Peter P.	Diocese of Yakima WA	Accused	In the 1970s and 1980s, Hagel, along with three other priests, abused a boy at a YMCA building used by the diocese, and at St. Andrew’s parish. The abuse was not substantiated, and Hagel is deceased.
King	Anthony S.	Diocese of Yakima WA	Settled	A man filed a lawsuit against King and another priest in 2007 alleging abuse occurred in the mid-1960s. The case was settled in 2010 for $150K.
King	David G.	Diocese of Yakima WA	Sued	Accused of abusing a 13-year-old boy in the early 1950s at Marquette High School for Boys in Yakima, WA. Left Jesuit High School in Portland in 1993.
Kovalik	James	Diocese of Yakima WA	Accused	Parish priest, high school teacher and athletics coach, Kovalik declined treatment, left ministry and was laicized.
Mitchell	Darrell J.	Diocese of Yakima WA	Accused	In 2003, a priest was accused of having nude pictures of boys on his computer. He was suspended from ministry and later returned to active ministry without notice to parishioners.
O’Connor	Richard J.	Diocese of Yakima WA	Settled	A man filed a lawsuit against O’Connor and another priest, Anthony King, alleging they abused him as a high school student. The case settled in 2010 for $150K.
Ramirez	Aaron	Diocese of Yakima WA	Sued	In 1999, a deacon from the Diocese of Yakima invited a 17-year-old boy to spend the evening with him at a church trailer home, where the boy passed out on the porch and woke up nude on a bed with the nude deacon lying beside him.
Ramirez	Hilario	Diocese of Yakima WA	Settled	A visiting priest from Mexico was accused of abusing at least four boys between the ages of 7 and 14. Two of the accusers were offered counseling, and two others are deceased.
Scully	Richard	Diocese of Yakima WA	Settled	Accused of abusing a 15-year-old boy in 1980 at parish school, removed from parish in Yakima diocese in 1988 and sent to treatment, and later worked in Amarillo TX 1989-3/2002 when he resigned. Accused of abusing a boy in the 1970s and 1980s at St. Andrew’s parish and at a YMCA building.
Simpson	Michael J.	Diocese of Yakima WA	Settled	A woman filed suit in 2005 accusing Simpson of abuse of several girls in the early 1960s. Three more women filed suits in 2006 claiming abuse as young girls, and the diocese settled four cases in 2008 for $200K.
Tholen	John L.	Diocese of Yakima WA	Settled	A man told the Diocese that Tholen groomed and assaulted him once in the early 1960s. The Bishop apologized and offered a settlement, and Tholen retired the same year.
Whitten	Carlton E.	Diocese of Yakima WA	Accused	Placed on leave in 12/2007, moved to Sacred Heart Jesuit Center in Los Gatos, CA, and died 12/10/2020. Order investigated an alleged recent incident of improper touching involving a 17-year-old boy.
Wood	William M.	Diocese of Yakima WA	Accused	The Yakima diocese named Wood publicly as accused on 7/9/2019. He was incardinated into the Diocese of Gary in 1972 and left the Catholic Church in 1981.

About Clergy Sexual Abuse

Clergy sexual abuse involves religious leaders of the Catholic Church exploiting their positions of trust to commit sexual abuse of a minor or other vulnerable individuals. The impacts on victims are severe and long-lasting, including emotional, psychological, and physical trauma. It’s vital for survivors to report sexual and physical abuse and seek legal action to ensure justice. In Washington, the legal process typically starts with a consultation, followed by an investigation, filing the lawsuit, and pursuing a settlement or trial.

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Legal Support for Survivors in Washington, DC

At Injury Lawyer Team, we are committed to providing comprehensive legal support to survivors of clergy sexual abuse in Washington. Our services are tailored to meet the unique needs of each survivor, ensuring compassionate and effective representation. We know these cases can be emotionally challenging, so we offer a supportive environment where you can feel safe and heard. Our goal is to secure the compensation and justice you deserve, whether through negotiation and settlement or taking the case to trial.

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Laws and Regulations in Washington DC

Washington has made important changes to its laws regarding child sexual abuse, especially with the updates to the Statute of Limitations (SOL) in 2019. Here’s what you need to know:

Statute of Limitations Updates

In 2019, Washington updated its SOL laws to help survivors of sexual abuse. These changes, effective July 28, 2019, mean that certain sexual assault crimes can now be prosecuted without any time limit. However, this new law is not retroactive, which means it does not apply to crimes committed before July 28, 2019.

Eliminated SOL for Specific Crimes

For some severe crimes against minors under 16, there is a time limit to bring charges. This includes:

Rape in the first or second degree when the victim is under 16
Rape of a child in the first, second, or third degree
Sexual misconduct with a minor in the first degree
Custodial sexual misconduct in the first-degree
Child molestation in the first, second, or third degree
Sexual exploitation of a minor

Extended SOL for Older Victims

For victims who were over 16 when the abuse occurred, the new law extends the time they have to bring charges by ten years.

Mandatory Reporting

Washington law requires anyone who suspects abuse of a minor, neglect, or exploitation to report it immediately. This is crucial for protecting vulnerable individuals and ensuring timely legal action.

These changes reflect Washington’s commitment to supporting survivors and holding abusers accountable. At Injury Lawyer Team, we stay up-to-date with these laws to provide you with the best possible legal support.

Filing a Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawsuit in Washington DC

Filing a clergy sexual abuse lawsuit in Washington involves several essential steps:

Initial Consultation: Contact Injury Lawyer Team for a confidential consultation. We will listen to your story, discuss your case, and explain your legal options.
Investigation: Our team will conduct a thorough investigation, gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and building a solid case to support your claims.
Filing the Lawsuit: Once we have sufficient evidence, we will file a civil suit with the necessary legal documents on your behalf. This includes drafting and submitting the complaint to the appropriate court.
Discovery Phase: Both sides exchange information and evidence related to the case. This may involve depositions, document requests, and interrogatories.
Negotiation or Trial: Many cases are resolved through negotiation and settlement. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we will proceed to trial, advocating for your rights and seeking justice on your behalf.

Taking legal action against clergy sexual abuse in Washington is a courageous step toward justice and healing. At Injury Lawyer Team, we are committed to guiding you through each stage of the process with compassion and expertise.

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Support Resources for Survivors in Washington, DC

Survivors of clergy sex abuse in Washington have access to various support resources designed to aid in their recovery and provide ongoing assistance. These resources include:

Counseling Services

Professional therapy and counseling services are available to help survivors cope with the trauma of abuse. These services offer a safe space to process emotions and begin healing.

Support Groups

Joining a support group allows survivors to connect with others who have experienced similar situations. These groups provide a sense of community and mutual support, helping individuals feel less isolated.

Crisis Hotlines

Various hotlines offer immediate assistance and crisis intervention. Trained professionals can offer support, guidance, and resources in times of need.

Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence: 1-800-799-7233
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

Notable Cases and Outcomes in Washington, DC

Washington has seen several significant clergy sexual abuse allegations and cases involving the Seattle Archdiocese. Here are some key moments:

July 2012: A King County jury awarded $6.4 million to a man abused as a child. He had to drop out of high school, enlist at 17, and serve in Vietnam to escape his abusers.
January 2016: The Seattle Archdiocese published a list of 77 clergy members and others credibly accused of sexually abusing children. The then-Archbishop issued an apology alongside this list.
2016: The Archdiocese had paid nearly $75 million in settlements for almost 400 claims and lawsuits of sexual abuse of a minor since the late 1980s.
2018: A lawsuit by six men was settled for nearly $7 million. These men were sexually assaulted by priests when they were children, and investigations showed the church knew about one Archdiocesan priest as far back as the late ’50s. The Archdiocese paid a woman $725,000 to settle a civil suit. She was repeatedly abused by a clergy member for over 40 years, starting when she was only eight years old.

These cases underscore the need for transparency and accountability in the Catholic Church. They highlight the courage of survivors who come forward and the importance of continued advocacy to protect vulnerable individuals and seek justice for those harmed.

Our attorneys have reviewed public and private settlement data related to Washington clergy abuse settlements. Depending on the circumstances of 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 Injury Lawyer Team?

When it comes to handling clergy-inflicted child sexual abuse cases in Washington, Injury Lawyer Team offers unparalleled expertise and dedication. Our firm has a long history of successfully representing survivors of clergy sexual abuse, securing significant settlements and verdicts that reflect the severity and impact of these cases.

$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

We treat each case with the individual attention it deserves. Our lawyers work with you closely to develop a tailored legal strategy that addresses your specific circumstances and goals. Our primary goal is to seek justice for survivors and hold abusers accountable. We are passionate about fighting for your rights and ensuring those responsible are brought to justice.

Choosing Injury Lawyer Team means partnering with a firm that combines legal excellence with heartfelt dedication to justice. Contact us today to get the retribution you deserve.

Jonathan Rosenfeld, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer

If you are a survivor of clergy sexual abuse in Washington, reach out to Injury Lawyer Team for a confidential consultation. Our team is here to support you and help you seek justice.

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.