Mr. Joseph Votino (Teacher/Coach)
Diocese of Erie
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Mr. Joseph Votino:
For nearly two decades, Mr. Joseph Votino, a teacher and coach, was a fixture at Kennedy Catholic High School in the Diocese of Erie. According to media reports, on March 30, 2001, a caller to a child abuse hotline informed authorities that Votino was having sexual relations with a student. At first, he denied any wrongdoing, but the school suspended him and eventually fired him.
Law enforcement said Votino engaged in sexual relations with three female students at Kennedy, all of whom were 17 at the time, between 2000 and 2001. The investigation identified a fourth victim, but the criminal statute of limitations had expired in that case.
Votino, one of the winningest high school basketball coaches in the state, pleaded guilty to a single count of corrupting the morals of a minor in a plea bargain, admitting having sex with the girls either at his home or at an undisclosed location in Sharon. He was sentenced to 1 year of incarceration. He has since been released from prison and currently resides in Masury, Ohio, according to the Diocese of Erie. He is not a registered sex offender.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Erie. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in Pennsylvania, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of Erie may have legal options, but filing deadlines will apply so please do not delay in reaching out to us.
Contact us at 888-283-9922 or [email protected] to discuss your options today.