Fr. Paul Henry Leech

Ordained: 1980
Status: Guilty plea

Diocese: Diocese of Providence RI

Removed from ministry 5/4/1984. Pleaded no contest in 8/1985 to 8 counts of sexually assaulting 3-4 boys 1982-1984. Sentenced in 1985 to 86 years in prison, but after a plea for leniency was given 3 years in prison and 12 years’ probation. In 1994 a civil suit was filed on behalf of one youth. Per the suit, prior to 1980 Leech was known to the bishop to have a habit of making advances on young boys. Another suit may have been filed in 1985. Included on the diocese’s list 7/1/2019. Said in 2020 to be living in Rochester, NY, and going by his first name, Paul.


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