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  Ex-Rogers Priest Convicted for Sexual Misconduct, Theft

Star News [Minnesota]
May 24, 2005

John Joseph Bussmann, a former priest of the Mary Queen of Peace congregations in Rogers and Fletcher, was convicted last week of sexual misconduct and theft charges involving a female employee and parishioner when he served as a priest there.

According to Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar, after a one-week trial and one day of deliberations, a jury convicted Bussmann, 51, of one count of theft over $500 (a felony), one count of theft by swindle over $500 (a felony), one count of fifth degree criminal sexual conduct (a gross misdemeanor) and one count of indecent exposure (a misdemeanor). He will be sentenced July 11 in front of Hennepin County District Judge Diana Eagon. Bussmann also remains charged with two counts of third degree criminal sexual conduct involving two other female parishioners. Those cases will be tried in July.

Bussmann was a priest at St. Martin's Catholic Church in Rogers and St. Walburga's Catholic Church in Fletcher from 2000–03 (These churches merged in 2002 to form the Mary Queen of Peace congregation). The Archdiocese removed Bussmann as a priest in March 2003.

The victim in this case, said Klobuchar, was a church employee and parishioner. The victim testified that, around April 2001, Bussmann summoned her to the rectory stating that there was water in the basement. She went over to the building and entered the basement. When she got to the bottom of the stairs, she discovered there was no water leaking. Bussmann then walked into the basement naked and stood at the bottom of the stairs so she could not leave. On another occasion, Bussmann purchased a gift for the victim. When she went to his office to thank him, he gave her a hug, rubbing her buttocks and touching her breasts over her clothing. She pushed herself away, packed her belongings and left her employment the same day.

The victim also testified that, in March 2001, she told Bussmann she wanted to use part of a family inheritance to make a donation of $2,500 to St. Walburga's. Bussmann suggested she give the money directly to him so he could surprise the church by buying a piano as a special gift. She made the check payable to Bussmann and he deposited it in his bank account on March 20, 2001. According to the complaint, Bussmann never bought the piano or transferred the donation to the church. The victim was reportedly unaware that Bussmann had kept the money for himself until a sheriff's detective discovered it in the course of investigating the sexual misconduct allegations.

Klobuchar credited the St. Paul-Minneapolis Archdiocese for its cooperation in the investigation. She noted that Father Kevin McDonough, vicar general of the Archdiocese, testified for the prosecution at trial. The criminal case was investigated by the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office.

The additional charges allege that Bussmann had sexual relations with two of his parishioners. One alleged victim reported that in the fall of 2001, she sought counseling from Bussmann and met with him individually at the church, according to a report from Klobuchar's office. In one counseling session, Bussmann allegedly began to question her about sexual practices with her husband. At an individual counseling session in late 2001, she accused Bussmann of fondling her and eventually had oral sex with her. Bussmann is accused of continuing to engage in sexual relations with this individual until February 2003. The alleged victim reported Bussmann to the Archdiocese in March 2003.

Another alleged victim reported that in October 2002, she sought counseling from Bussmann about the death of a parent. During the sessions, Bussmann began to tell the alleged victim she was special and he loved her. She said in early 2003, Bussmann touched her breasts over her clothing while they were at church. She told him to stop, fearing that people in adjoining rooms might observe the activity.

 
 

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