Fr. Gary D. Berthiaume

Convicted in 1978 of the abuse of two boys in Detroit. Served six months in jail, then assigned to a parish the Cleveland diocese. After allegations in Cleveland Berthiaume was sent to treatment in MD and then to the Joliet diocese in 1988, where he was allowed to work as a hospital chaplain by Bishop Imesch until 2002. The two had worked together at a MI parish in the 1970s. Living in an IL retreat house as of 2002. Laicization announced in 11/2007. Included on the Detroit archdiocese’s list of credibly accused 6/10/2019. A Detroit victim had filed a civil suit in 1983. Another lawsuit in 1999 claimed abuse in the 1980s. On Cleveland’s list 6/21/2019. Arrested in IL in 9/2020 on charges of sexual assault in 1977 of a boy, age 14, at his Farmington MI parish. Charges in MI in two more cases in 6/2021, also for abuse in the 1970s. Pleaded guilty in 11/2021. Admitted in court to sexually abusing young boys and changed his plea to no contest in 1/2022. Sentenced to 20 months to 15 years in prison. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General’s Report, which notes four “reported survivors.”