Another Rochester Priest Named in Abuse Lawsuit

Spectrum News
January 8, 2020

https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/rochester/public-safety/2020/01/08/abuse-lawsuit-filed-against-another-rochester-priest

Another lawsuit has been filed under the Child Victims Act, this time with new allegations of abuse against a local priest.

Several local churches and parishes are named, including St. Boniface in Rochester and St. Paul of the Cross Church in Honeoye Falls.

Attorney Mitchell Garabedian accuses the defendants of providing Father Otto Vogt with access to young parishioners.

The attorney's client alleged the priest abused him on 60 occasions, starting when he was 10 years old in 1989.

"For me it's about the emotional aspect," said John Mchugh, the Rochester-area man who claims Vogt sexually abused him. "I want recognition that it happened. I want a guarantee that there will be systems in place so it never happens again."

Father Otto Vogt died in 2017.

The suit alleges negligence and is seeking damages.

The Catholic Diocese of Rochester did not comment on the suit.

"Out of respect for the legal process and the claimants, the diocese is reserving comment on lawsuits," said a spokesman for the diocese.

The case is unrelated to allegations against Father Francis Vogt. He was one of eight priests from the Rochester diocese accused of abuse in 2018.