NEW YORK
News 12
[with video]
PINE BUSH – An Orange County man claims a former Pine Bush priest touched him inappropriately
Michael Kyles says he was 22 years old when he first met Father Kevin Gallagher at the Church of Infant Saviour. He says he began talking with Gallagher to cope with the death of his twin brother Tyler, who was killed in a car crash while in high school.
Kyles said he started using prescription drugs about a year after his brother passed away and eventually became addicted to heroin. He says he turned to Gallagher for money and that the pastor would drive him to get synthetic heroin. As their encounters progressed, Kyles said the pastor would touch him inappropriately.
Michael was not a minor at the time. According to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, no criminal charges have been filed against Gallagher.
A spokesperson with the Archdiocese of New York has said that Gallagher was removed from his position as pastor following the allegation. It says Gallagher hasn’t been allowed to function as a priest or present himself as a priest since he was removed as pastor from the parish.
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