Fr. Joseph A. Romansky
Arrested in 1985, accused of playing strip poker with boys, offering them money for oral sex, fondling them, and masturbating in front of them. The mother of one of them said the diocese gave her a condo, a car and a job, and that when she refused to sign an agreement not to sue, they fired her and took everything away. Romansky pleaded guilty. Received a probated sentence; sent to St. Luke Institute for treatment. Invited in 1988 by Biloxi MS Bishop Howze to work in a parish; Howze was aware of his abuse history. Howze sent him back to Cleveland after four years. At least two civil suits filed; settled in 1991. Was a nursing home chaplain until 2002 when placed on leave. Three more suits filed in 9/2002. Said to have likely abused dozens of teenage African American boys and girls 1975-1995. Two priests said in 2002 that they had reported him to the Cleveland diocese in 1975. Died 7/3/2004. Included on the diocese’s list of credibly accused.
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