Priest Charged With 7 Counts of Sexual Assault to Appear in Enfield Court

NBC Connecticut
August 20, 2014

http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/-Priest-Charged-With-7-Counts-of-Sexual-Assault-to-Appear-in-Enfield-Court-271982491.html

Rev. Paul Gotta was suspended last year and arrested in March on several sexual assault charges is due in court on Wednesday for pre-trial proceedings.

A Connecticut priest who was suspended last year and arrested in March on several sexual assault charges is due in court on Wednesday for pre-trial proceedings.

Rev. Paul Gotta, 55, of Bridgeport pleaded not guilty to seven counts of sexual assault charges he faces, according to the state judicial website. 

Gotta, who served as administrator of St. Philip Church in East Windsor and St. Catherine Church in Broadbrook until he was placed on administrative leave, is accused of sexual abuse, according to the Archdiocese of Hartford.

Police said in April that the arrest warrant is sealed.

Gotta is facing two counts of second-degree sexual assault, felony charges, in connection to reported incidents on April 1, 2012 and Feb. 1 2013, and five counts of fourth-degree sexual assault, misdemeanor charges, for reported incidents in January, February, March, April and May of 2012, according to the state judicial website.

He also faces separate federal fire arms charges, including aiding and abetting the unlawful transport of a firearm in interstate commerce and the purchase of a handgun by a juvenile.

Gotta has a court appearance in Enfield on Wednesday.