Fr. Paul Gotta

Ordained: 2006
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Hartford CT

Administrator of St. Phillip’s in East Windsor and St. Catherine’s in Broad Brook. Removed in 7/2013 while the Archdiocese investigated a complaint that he sexually abused a minor. Law enforcement was notified, investigation launched. Arrested 7/19/2013 on federal firearms charges. Released 7/25/2013. In 6/2013 he had reported an 18-year-old youth to police for threats against the boy’s school. Arrested 3/31/2014 on sex assault charges. Allegedly made boy strip and assaulted him before giving him his paycheck. Pleaded not guilty. Sex assault charges dropped in a plea agreement in 11/2015; pleaded guilty to second degree breach of peace. Six-month suspended sentence. Pleaded guilty in 3/2016 to distributing explosives to a minor. (Helped a teen make a pipe bomb.) Sentenced in 2017 to nine months in prison. Per the Archdiocese’s list 1/22/2019, canonical process underway.


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