A Second Woman Accuses Priest of Sexual Misconduct

WKBW
January 31, 2012

http://www.wkbw.com/news/local/JAC-Sexual-Abuse-138385159.html

[with video]

There is a second allegation of sexual misconduct against Father Secundo Casarotto of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. This woman said she made a call, and sent a letter about the complaint in 2008 - but nothing was done.

Diocese officials said they had no record of this 2008 complaint until Monday. An employee came forward admitting that they took the call, but never passed along the information.

According to Diocese procedure, when employees take a complaint of this nature they are supposed to pass it on to the Safe Environment office or the Victim Assistance Coordinator. Neither of those actions were taken in this case.

Now, Kevin Keenan, spokesman for the Diocese, said officials will investigate the actions of the employee, while the Bishop will determine what actions must be taken for not following protocol.

“If an individual receives a call in another department, that individual is supposed to forward the call to the Safe Environment Office or Victim Assistance Coordinator. That didn't happen in this case,” Keenan said.

This is the second complaint against Father Casarotto. The first accusation was from 2009, where a woman said Casarotto groped her when she went to his office to ask him to pray for a sick relative.

Casarotto is now on paid administrative leave and police have not filed charges against him. The investigation is ongoing at this time.