Priest Accused of Sexual Abuse of a Minor

By Bob Connors
NBC Connecticut
July 15, 2013

http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/Priest-Accused-of-Sexual-Abuse-of-a-Minor-215543091.html

Rev. Paul Gotta, of East Windsor, has been placed on administrative leave after being accused of sexual abuse of a minor, according to the Archdiocese of Hartford. (Photo Courtesy Larry Smith, Windsor Locks/East Windsor Patch)

The Department of Children and Families is investigating a complaint of sexual abuse of a minor against Rev. Paul Gotta, according to the Archdiocese of Hartford.

Rev. Gotta, administrator of St. Phillip Church in East Windsor and St. Catherine Church in Broad Brook, has been placed on administrative leave, a spokesperson for the Archdiocese said in a statement.

"The Archdiocese of Hartford was surprised and disturbed to learn that such an allegation has been made," said Maria Zone, spokesperson for the Archdiocese.

Authorities are investigating the sexual assault complaint and "other matters", the statement read.

Gotta is the same priest who contacted police about an 18-year-old who had allegedly made threats against his school, the Metropolitan Learning Center, in Bloomfield. Rev. Gotta told police Kyle Bass had weapons and had the ability to make bombs, prosecutors said at the time.

Bass was arrested on bomb manufacturing charges and held on $750,000.

It was not clear how Rev. Gotta and Bass knew each other.