Fr. William I. Joffe
Placed on leave in 12/1987 for mismanaging parish funds. Pleaded guilty in 1981 to embezzling $264K from his parish; sentenced to 1 year in prison and 5 years probation. Reassigned in 1992 to a parish. Placed on leave again in 1993 after an allegation that he sexually abused a boy in the late 1960s. Sent for a psychiatric evaluation. Lived in KY and FL for the next ten years, doing odd jobs. Another complaint received in 2002, of abuse of a freshman boy at Newman Central Catholic High School in Sterling in the early 1970s, where Joffe was director of religious education. Two more allegations received in 2004, of abuse in 1979 and 1983. Five more in 7/2005, of abuse 1969-1983. Suit filed in 2/2006. “Removed from priesthood” in 8/1993. On diocese’s list 11/14/2018. Noted to have died in 4/2008 in Ft. Meyers, FL. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General’s Report, which notes 10 “reported survivors.”
- Chicago Tribune 10.30.91
- Chicago Tribune 01.14.92
- Chicago Sun Times 09.12.93
- Rockford Register Star 07.01.04
- Chicago Daily Herald 07.01.04
- WIRF 02.18.05
- Chicago Daily Herald 02.19.05
- Rockford Register Star 02.10.06
- Chicago Sun Times (AP) 02.10.06
- Chicago Tribune 02.10.06
- Chicago Daily Herald 02.10.06
- Diocese of Rockford List 11.14.18
- IL Attorney General’s Report 05.23.23
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