Bronx Priest Accused of Sexual Abuse in Westchester

By Matt Spillane
Journal News
January 22, 2016

http://www.lohud.com/story/news/crime/2016/01/22/priest-sexual-abuse-westchester/79167516/

A Bronx priest has been suspended amid allegations that he sexually abused minors in Westchester County about 30 years ago, officials said.

The Rev. Richard Gorman was a priest at St. Barnabas Church in the Woodlawn section of the Bronx, a block away from Yonkers, when the alleged abuse occurred, according to media reports. It is unclear where in Westchester the alleged abuse occurred.

Gorman, now the director of prison chaplains for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, "is not permitted to publicly function as a priest until the matter is resolved," the archdiocese said in a statement Thursday.

"As usual, the archdiocese immediately reported the allegations to law enforcement officials for investigation, who have deemed the allegations to be credible, although they have not yet been substantiated," said the archdiocese, which urged people with information or concerns to contact the Westchester County District Attorney's Office.

Related:Rockland priest suspended after sex abuse allegations.

The church has many parishioners from Yonkers and also operates an elementary school and a girls high school.

Investigators were alerted to the allegations very recently and are looking into them, said Robert Wolf, a spokesman for the district attorney.

"We did receive a notification from the archdiocese, and we are making our inquiries as is standard procedure," he said.

Gorman's attorney, Murray Richman, denied the allegations.

Richman said he was informed Wednesday of the accusations, which he believes were made by two people. He said he did not believe there was a possibility of criminal charges, but he expects the accusers to file civil lawsuits.

"As a result, a good man's life is ruined. A man who has done so much good for the community," said Richman, who added that he has known Gorman for about 25 years.

Archdiocese officials and attorneys for the alleged victims could not immediately be reached for comment.

The archdiocese said assistance for victims is available by contacting Sister Eileen Clifford or Deacon George Coppola at 917-861-1762 or victimassistance@archny.org

Contact: mspillane@lohud.com