Local Priest under Investigation for Sexual Abuse of a Minor

By Elyssa M. Millspaugh
The Patch
July 15, 2013

http://enfield.patch.com/groups/police-and-fire/p/local-priest-under-investigation-for-sexual-abuse-of-a-minor_7ee63a3b

An East Windsor priest is being investigated by the State Department of Children and Families for allegations of sexual abuse of a minor, the Archdiocese of Hartford announced.

Father Paul Gotta, administrator of St. Philip in East Windsor and St. Catherine in Broad Brook, has been placed on administrative pending the outcome of a police investigation.

Authorities are looking into the sexual abuse complaint and "other matters," a statement on the Archdiocese Web site read.

"The Archdiocese of Hartford was surprised and disturbed to learn that such an allegation has been made," read a statement. "The Archdiocese of Hartford condemns the type of misconduct that has been alleged and extends its sincere sympathies to those adversely affected by it."

Rev. Gotta is the same priest who alerted authorities about a local teenager who allegedly made threats against the Metropolitan Learning Center in Bloomfield.

Rev. Gotta told police that 18-year-old Kyle Bass had allegedly manufactured explosives and a silencer for at least one rifle; had made disturbing references to the Newtown shootings and Boston Marathon bombings; and was going to pull a prank that “was going to make sure they would remember he was there,”according to the affidavit for an arrest warrant.

The Archdiocese asks anyone with information related to the sexual abuse allegations to contact the East Windsor Police Department.