Salvatorian Fathers and Brothers / Society of the Divine Savior

16 Accused in This Religious Order

Fr. James Bretl

Order: SDS
Ordained: 1965
Status: Sued

Died: 10/6/2010
Diocese: Diocese of Phoenix AZ

Accused in a lawsuit filed in AZ in 2/2020 of sexually abusing a girl in the late 1970s or early 1980s while assigned to St. Mark's parish in Phoenix. His accuser also claimed she was abused by Rev. Donald Verhagen. Bretl died 10/6/2010 in Tennessee. Per his obituary, worked in Tanzania, Carson City NV, Phoenix AZ, "various locations in the Midwest," and Smithville TN.

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Fr. David Brusky

Order: SDS
Ordained: 1952
Status: Settled

Died: 02/1/2014
Diocese: Diocese of Reno NV

Missionary in Tanzania, East Africa for many years. Also worked in WI, NV and CA schools and parishes. Worked in the Santa Rosa diocese 1981-1985. Accused of abuse in the 1970s of several girls in the Reno diocese at Our Lady of the Snows parish. Sent to St. Luke Institute in MD in 1988 for treatment. The Diocese paid $50K to a woman in 2004 who alleged abuse as a child by Brusky. In 2007 Brusky was living in an assisted living center in Milwaukee. Died 2/1/2014. Included on the Santa Rosa diocese's list 1/12/2019, which notes allegation in 2002 of abuse in the 1980s, reported to the D.A. On the Reno diocese's list 4/5/2019 where he was assigned 1973-1975. On the Las Vegas diocese's list 4/12/2019. On the Sacramento diocese's list 4/30/2019, where he worked 1985-1987, noting reports in 1986 of "sexual misconduct" with young females.

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Reno Gazette Journal 10.09.05

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Fr. Robert Casper

Order: SDS
Ordained: 1944
Status: Accused

Died: 05/10/1988
Diocese: Diocese of Sacramento CA

Given name Berthold Rudolph Casper. Teacher, parish priest. Missionary in Colombia, South America, then assigned in MI, MD, and CA. Faculties withdrawn and left the diocese in 1986. Per his order, Casper semi-retired in 1986 to its community in Chilton, WI. Named publicly as accused by the Sacramento Diocese on its list 4/30/2019, which notes an allegation received in 1986 of the sexual abuse of a boy in 1962. Died 5/10/1998.

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Fr. Kevin E. Cray

Order: SDS
Ordained: 1949
Status: Accused

Died: 01/31/1999
Diocese: Diocese of Erie PA

Cray's name was added 5/18/2018 to the diocese's list of credibly accused priests, lay employees and volunteers. Allegations were reported after his death. Musician, composer, teacher, parish priest. V.A. hospital chaplain in Erie 1976-1999. Also worked in the Archdioceses of Washington DC, Baltimore, and Chicago and the Dioceses of Camden, Green Bay, Milwaukee, Sacramento, and Sioux City. Died 1/31/1999 in Milwaukee.

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Fr. William Eberhardy

Donate Photo

Order: SDS
Ordained: 1977
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Green Bay WI

Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list 1/17/19. Noted to have multiple substantiated allegations against him of abuse, occurring in about 1983-86. On leave in 1992. Laicized 2002. In 7/18 the Salvatorian Provincial informed the Milwaukee County D.A. that a man had come forward, alleging sexual abuse by Eberhardy sometime during 1978-81, when he was about 11- to 14 years-old and an altar boy at St. Mary's in Chilton. He said the incident involved fondling and masturbation, and occurred during a trip to Six Flags amusement park, overnight in a camper at the priest's parents' home in Milwaukee. Eberhardy reportedly would take such trips with other altar boys, too.

Assignments:

Diocese of Green Bay: Eberhardy 01.17.19

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Fr. Joseph John Henn

Order: SDS
Ordained: 1978
Status: Guilty plea

Diocese: Diocese of Phoenix AZ

Report in 1983 to the Salvatorians that Henn had sexually abused a boy, age 14, and that he had abused another boy who went on to die by suicide. Sent to work at an all-girls school in Sacramento CA. Sent for evaluation and treatment three times. Abused in AZ, CA and WI. Accused in a civil suit filed in 6/2003. Indicted by grand jury in 7/2003 on 13 counts of molestation of three boys 1979-1981. Found working in Rome and arrested in 7/2005. Fought extradition while living under house arrest in Rome. Official extradition ordered in 7/2006, but Henn fled just prior to the announcement, whereabouts unknown. Civil suit settled for $50K in 2006. Expelled from the Salvatorians and removed from the priesthood in 2006. Arrested in Italy 5/28/2019 after trying to use his expired U.S. passport to pick up medicine, per his attorney. Italian police said he was arrested after requesting help at an immigrant assistance center using a false name. Extradited to AZ, arraigned 6/14/2019 on 13 charges of child sex abuse. Suit filed in 2/2020. Pleaded guilty in 2021. Reportedly in 8/2023, Henn is deceased.

Fr. Karl LeClaire

Order: SDS
Ordained: 1986
Status: Guilty plea

Diocese: Diocese of Phoenix AZ

Assigned to Queen of Peace parish and principal the parish school when removed in 2001 after a young man reported that LeClaire sexually abused him for 7 years, beginning when he was age 13 and a Queen of Peace student in 1993. LeClaire would lavish the boy with gifts and take him on trips, including cruises to Alaska and the Mediterranean. The man filed suit in 8/2002. LeClaire was indicted in 5/2003 and pleaded guilty in a plea agreement in 10/2004. Sentenced in 1/2005 to a year in jail, three years probation and to register as a sex offender. A claim of abuse, reportedly in a separate 1993 case, settled for $40K in 2006. LeClaire was laicized in 2017.

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Fr. Augustine Lucca

Donate Photo

Order: SDS
Ordained: 1951
Status: Accused

Died: 08/16/2009
Diocese: Diocese of San Angelo TX

Named publicly as accused by the San Angelo diocese on its list 2/13/19. Died 8/16/09.

Sources:

Diocese of San Angelo List 02.13.19

Fr. Robert Marsicek

Order: SDS
Ordained: 1968
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Sacramento CA

Assigned to St. Pius X parish in Wauwatosa WI in 2001. Removed 3/28/2013 when a teacher reported questionable behavior with a student at school. Ordered to stay away from children and under the supervision of his Order pending a police investigation. Similar incidents in the Sacramento diocese in the 1980s-1990s were reported to WI in 5/2013 and police in late 2012. Charged in 2/2017 with felony child sexual assault for alleged incidents of abuse of a girl at St. Pius X parish and school 2007-2010, starting when she was age 6. Pled guilty in 10/2017 to reduced charges. Sentenced in 12/2017 to one year in a House of Corrections. On the Sacramento diocese's list 4/30/2019, which notes two reports in 2012 of the sexual abuse of boys under age 14, and a report in 2019 of the sexual abuse of girl under age 14. The alleged abuse occurred 1988-1995. Marsicek worked in the diocese 1987-2000.

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BA.org Assignment

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Fr. Austin Martin

Donate Photo

Order: SDS
Ordained: 1958
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Savannah GA

Named publicly by the Savannah diocese on its list 11/8/2018. Noted to have worked in the diocese 1964-1969, and to have been laicized. Deceased. Included in the 3/24/2023 GA PAC Report, which shows that Martin was assigned in the diocese 1963-1968. Allegation to the diocese in 2005 of abuse of a girl in the 1960s at St. Benedict's in Columbus, GA. Martin allegedly first raped the girl when she was 15, and their 'relationship' continued for "quite some time." She had gone to Martin at age 14 in 1963 for help with a family issue. His alleged victim said he may have also been involved with two other girls.

Assignments:

GA PAC Report 03.24.23

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Fr. Eric R. Middlecamp

Order: SDS
Ordained: 1952
Status: Accused

Died: 03/6/2011
Diocese: Diocese of Green Bay WI

Accused in the early 1990s of sexually abusing boys and girls in the late1950s-70s. Allegations substantiated to Salvatorians by Middlecamp's acknowledgment. Reportedly removed from ministry and not allowed to function as a priest, working and living in a monitored setting. Spent much of his career in WI. Assigned to Mackin High School in DC 1957-58 and Trinity College Minor Seminary in Sioux City IA 1958-59. Director of Athletics at Salvatorian Seminary in St Nazianz WI 1959-68 and coach of the basketball team. Worked in Oakland CA 1984-85; St Mark's church in Phoenix 1985-94. Also worked as a hospital chaplain and raised money for the Salvatorians and their Tanzanian missions. Died 3/6/11. Added to Sioux City list 9/24/19.

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Fr. Loren Nys

Order: SDS
Ordained: 1967
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Buffalo NY

In 1/14 Order removed Nys from SS. Peter and Paul's in Kiel, where he was working in retirement, after Provincial's review of personnel files. Files revealed two complaint letters from parents re conduct with minors dating back to late 1960s-early 1970s, Per files, issues were addressed at the time but Nys was kept in ministry. After removal he was to reside in Milwaukee with the Order's retired priests under supervision. In 12/16 a man told the Buffalo NY diocese that Nys abused him for two years in the early 1970s, beginning when the man was age 14. Nys was a teacher and administrator at Buffalo's St. Mary's High School. The man said he lived with Nys in the rectory due tp family issues, and that Nys repeatedly raped him. On Buffalo diocese's list updated 11/5/18.

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Fr. Dennis A. Pecore

Order: SDS
Ordained: 1982
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Baltimore MD

Worked in MD, AZ, WI. Convicted in Milwaukee WI in 1987 of sex assault of a teenage boy 1984-1985. Placed on probation and ordered to serve year in jail on work-release program. Settlement with the victim for $595K in 1988. Some teachers had told Archbishop Weakland of the abuse, who did nothing. The teachers were fired. Convicted in 1994 in WI of molesting a second boy, 1989-1992 (his nephew) during work-release. (Pecore worked at a care center for elderly priests). The boy was age 8 when the abuse started. Pecore introduced the boy to Fr. Simon Palathingal, who was convicted in 2004 of abusing him 1990-1991. Pecore was sentenced to 12 years prison and probation. On sex offender registry. Laicized in 1995. Released from prison in 2/2002. Accused in 3/2002 of abuse in MD in about 1973 of a boy, age 10. Included on the Baltimore archdiocese's list of accused in 9/2002. New lawsuit filed 10/6/2016 v Phoenix diocese, Salvatorians and St. Mark's in Phoenix AZ, claiming abuse of a boy in the early 1980s. In 2018 another suit was filed, claiming abuse of another child in Phoenix.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Joseph R. Smith

Order: SDS
Ordained: 1923
Status: Accused

Died: 07/8/1952
Diocese: Diocese of Savannah GA

Named publicly as accused on the Savannah diocese's list 11/8/2018. Noted to have worked in the diocese 1924-1952. Died in 1952. Included in the 3/24/2023 GA PAC Report. Allegation received in 2005 that Smith sexually abused a fourth-grade girl in 1952 at St. Anthony's in Atlanta.

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Fr. Joseph Turner

Donate Photo

Order: SDS
Ordained: 1958
Status: Accused

Died: 07/16/2001
Diocese: Archdiocese of Milwaukee WI

Auxiliary Bishop Sklba admitted in a 2002 letter that he believed Turner had sexually assaulted a youth in the 1960s at St. Pius parish in Wauwatosa. Turner became a military chaplain in 1966 and served two tours in Vietnam. Left military after 10 years and returned to WI. He died in 2001. When the 2002 letter was written, the victim was serving a life sentence in prison.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Donald R. Verhagen

Order: SDS
Ordained: 1945
Status: Sued

Died: 09/20/2001
Diocese: Diocese of Phoenix AZ

Accused in a 2/2011 lawsuit of sexually abusing a girl in the late 1970s or early 1980s while assigned to St. Mark's in Phoenix. His accuser also claimed she was abused by Rev. James Bretl. Verhagen died 9/20/2001.

Salvatorian Fathers and Brothers / Society of the Divine Savior – SDS

16 Accused in This Religious Order

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