Fr. Robert E. Spangenberg
Worked in PA, MI, NC, IL, FL. First named publicly as accused in the 8/14/2018 PA Grand Jury Report. Retired in 2003. Died 12/23/2006. Allegations of abuse of at least two minors in Pittsburgh. The diocese was contacted in 1988 by a woman who said her son had been abused by Spangenberg. The Spiritans moved Spangenberg to FL in 1989 due to the allegations. Kept in ministry. In 2009 a man reported that when he was a 15- to 16-year-old runaway and involved in prostitution, he had many “sexual encounters” with Spangenberg. He said the priest paid him to bring him other “young hustlers” for sex. He said Spangenberg liked to sniff glue while orally copulating the boy, and that he was a “really sick guy – he would have person urinate and defecate on him.” On the Raleigh diocese’s list in 10/2018. On the Charlotte diocese’s list 12/29/2019. Name included in 10/2022 on the Chicago archdiocese’s list of credibly accused. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General’s Report.
Return to main database page. See abbreviations and posting policy. Send corrections.
Our Database of Publicly Accused does not state or imply that individuals facing allegations are guilty of a crime or liable for civil claims. The reports contained in the database are merely allegations. The U.S. legal system presumes that a person accused of or charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty. Similarly, individuals who may be defendants in civil actions are presumed not to be liable for such claims unless a plaintiff proves otherwise. Admissions of guilt or liability are not typically a part of civil or private settlements. For more information, see our posting policy.