By Megan Reiter
Times Tribune
April 17, 2010
http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/schools-chief-fired-by-diocese-1.734505
The diocesan schools chief being investigated in an alleged sexual abuse case was fired earlier this month.
"The Diocese of Scranton can confirm that Joseph G. Casciano is no longer employed by the diocese, effective April 8," according to a statement released Saturday.
The diocesan statement also confirmed that Mr. Casciano had requested and was granted a leave of absence, which had been in effect since Dec. 28. The diocese did not indicate what prompted the request.
Efforts to locate Mr. Casciano on Saturday evening were unsuccessful, and no one answered the door at his West Scranton home.
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In January, Lackawanna County District Attorney Andy Jarbola confirmed that a letter from the diocese asked his office to look into a report of "alleged inappropriate touching."
Mr. Jarbola said Saturday that the matter was still under investigation, and no charges have been filed.
Although the alleged incident happened years ago, the victim apparently notified the diocese only recently, Mr. Jarbola said in January. He added that his office was reviewing the information even though the statue of limitations had expired.
According to Saturday's diocesan statement, Mr. Casciano "was informed of his termination in a letter from Cardinal Justin Rigali, apostolic administrator of the diocese. This is a personnel matter, and there will be no further comment from the diocese," it stated.
According to Sunday Times archives, Mr. Casciano, who had overseen schools in the 11-county diocese since 2005, started his career with the diocese in 1977 as a junior high teacher at St. Patrick's School, now All Saints Academy, in Scranton.
Cardinal Rigali appointed Kathleen P. Hanlon as acting superintendent when Mr. Casciano took his leave.
Contact: mreiter@timesshamrock.com
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