Tag: Diocese of Erie

Robert Viszneki (Parish Volunteer) – Diocese of Erie

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Robert Viszneki

Parish Volunteer

Robert Viszneki Horowitz LawSummary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Robert Viszneki:

In June 2018, Robert Viszneki was charged with repeatedly forcing a girl under the age of 13 to engage in sexual intercourse.  According to law enforcement, the sexual contact occurred between May 2017 and May 2018 in Millcreek, Pennsylvania.

Viszneki’s connection to the girl is not clear from media reports, but he does appear on the Diocese of Erie’s list of accused individuals whose behavior prohibits them from working with minors.  Whether Visznecki met the girl through his work with the Diocese of Erie, or through some other means, has not been made public by law enforcement. One of the seven charges now pending against Viszneki is child endangerment by a parent, guardian, or other person supervising the welfare of the child.  Under Pennsylvania law, that is anyone  other than a parent or guardian that provides care, education, training or control of a child.

The Diocese of Erie has offered no public statement on the matter.

Visznecki, who is now 68 years old, remains free on bond. His trial is set for March 2019.

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 now have legal options to recover damages due to a compensation fund created for victims.  Contact us at (954) 641-2100 or adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com today.

Gregory Mancini (Coach) – Diocese of Erie

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Gregory Mancini

Cathedral Prep School Coach

Gregory Mancini Horowitz Law

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Gregory Mancini:

Gregory Mancini, who worked at Cathedral Prep School as a basketball coach, was arrested in October 2018 by Georgia authorities after they say he travelled there to meet a 13 year old boy for sex.  According to media reports, Mancini met the boy playing the online video game Fortnite.

The boy told his mother that he planned to travel to Atlanta to meet Mancini, which resulted in the boy’s mother alerting law enforcement.
Mancini, 29, of Erie, is charged with attempt to commit child molestation and obscene internet contact with a minor.  He is free on bond while he awaits trial.
Mancini was also a teacher at Barber National Institute, which serves students with developmental disabilities.
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 now have legal options to recover damages due to a compensation fund created for victims.  Contact us at (954) 641-2100 or adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com today.  

 

Diocese of Erie Horowitz Law

Diocese of Erie Compensation Program For Abuse Victims Open February 15

Posted by Adam Horowitz, Attorney on

The claims period for victims of clergy sexual abuse seeking compensation in the Diocese of Erie will begin February 15, 2019 and continue for a six-month period through August 15, 2019.  Now is the time to act if you wish to pursue such a claim for sexual abuse by a priest.  Horowitz Law has assembled the most comprehensive list available anywhere of clergy abuse of sexual abuse in the Diocese of Erie.  It is an excellent resource if you are looking a particular priest’s history within the Diocese of Erie and whether other abuse allegations have been publicly lodged about the priest.

Sexual abuse lawyer Adam Horowitz is representing clients in this program right now and registering them for their claims to be evaluated for compensation.  The compensation fund is being administered by Ken Feinberg, a Washington, D.C.-based lawyer and expert on compensation funds. Feinberg handled the compensation fund for 9/11 victims and similar compensation funds for Dioceses in New York and Pennsylvania.

For decades, the Catholic Church has been plagued by the scandal of clergy sexual abuse by clergy.  An extraordinary number of people with improper sexual impulses seem to have made their way into the priesthood in the Catholic Church. Sadly, the Diocese of Erie in its history has been plagued by many of the same issues  Some of the more notorious perpetrators in the Diocese of Erie include priests Chester “Chet” Gawronski, Michael Barletta, David Paulson, Salvatore Luzzi, Gerard Krebs, Joseph Jerge, Samuel Slocum, and David Dobrowolski, among many others.

“This is something owed to victims,” said Bishop Persico of the Diocese of Erie. “They were harmed by church leaders and people who worked for the church. This is a matter of justice.”  Letters will be going out this week to victims who are already known to the Diocese through prior reports.  However, a prior report by the victim to the Diocese is not a requirement to be eligible for the program.  Those who do not receive letters can still file claims.  The Diocese of Erie includes nearly two hundred fifty thousand Catholics residing in thirteen counties in Northwestern Pennsylvania.. The thirteen counties are Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean, Potter, Erie, Forest, Warren, Clarion, Crawford, Mercer, and Venago.

We understand that victims of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy often are unable to report their abuse when it occurs. Typically, sexual abuse of a child occurs after a period of grooming so that the child feels guilty and responsible. Often, the child feels threatened, or fears that no one would believe them if they report the abuse because it involves an esteemed authority figure. Many children who have reported their abuse were called liars or punished by their own parents for speaking ill of a priest. The shame and fear often last long into adulthood. Fortunately, there is now a compensation plan to give victims of sexual abuse in the Diocese of Erie the strength to come forward and begin the healing process.

If you want to participate in the Diocese of Erie’s compensation program, our firm will assist you in retrieving and ultimately submitting the necessary papers and application for compensation. This may include parish records, sacramental records medical/therapy records, educational records, law enforcement records and witness statements. If you file an claim  for compensation, you are under no obligation to accept the financial offer of settlement by the Diocese of Erie.

It is important that your claim be properly prepared by an experienced attorney before being evaluated by the Administrators of the Compensation Program. For example, medical records and educational records should be collected and reviewed, oral and written communications concerning the clergy sexual abuse should be examined, and law enforcement records should be obtained. You want to make sure that the facts you submit to the Diocese are accurate and complete. The Administrators must find that the facts and circumstances of the claim of clergy sexual abuse demonstrate that the allegations are credible and that the clergy sexual abuse victim provides sufficient grounds to justify the payment of compensation.

Horowitz Law is a law firm representing sexual abuse victims of Catholic priests and other clergy of the Diocese of Erie.  If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abuse by a priest in Pennsylvania, contact our office.  Although many years have passed, people who have been sexually abused by priests of the Diocese of Erie can now receive compensation.  Contact attorney Adam Horowitz at 954-641-2100 or adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com to find out how to submit your claim today.

Craig T. Ward (Lay Agency Employee) – Diocese of Erie

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Mr. Craig T. Ward
Diocese of Erie

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Mr. Craig T. Ward:

Mr. Craig T. Ward is listed in the Diocese of Erie’s public disclosure list of both priests and lay people associated with the church that have been credibly accused of actions that, in the diocese’s judgment, disqualify that person from working with children. According to the Diocese of Erie, everyone included on its list “was credibly accused of actions that, in the diocese’s judgment, disqualify that person from working with children.  Such actions could include the use of child pornography, furnishing pornography to minors, corruption of minors, violating a child-protection policy, failure to prevent abuse that they knew to be happening, and — in some cases — direct physical sexual abuse or sexual assault of minors.”

The Diocese of Erie has not released any information about the allegation(s) against Ward, including the age/gender of his victim(s) or the number of allegation(s) made against him. All that is known is that he was a lay agency employee in the Diocese of Erie at some point.

According to the Diocese of Erie, Ward still resides in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Contact us today.

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 now have legal options to recover damages due to a compensation fund created for victims. Contact us at (954) 641-2100 or adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com today.

Mr. Joseph Votino (Teacher/Coach) – Diocese of Erie

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Mr. Joseph Votino
Diocese of Erie

Joseph Votino Horowitz Law
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Mr. Joseph Votino:

Joseph Votino was a fixture at Kennedy Catholic High School in the Diocese of Erie for nearly two decades. 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 Votino and eventually fired him.

Law enforcement said Voting 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 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. Votino was sentenced to 1 year of incarceration.

Votino 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.

Contact us today.

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 now have legal options to recover damages due to a compensation fund created for victims. Contact us at (954) 641-2100 or adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com today.

Mr. Dennis Vickery (Teacher) – Diocese of Erie

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Mr. Dennis Vickery
Diocese of Erie

Dennis Vickery Horowitz Law
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Mr. Dennis Vickery:

Mr. Dennis Vickery pleaded guilty to and was convicted of a single count of receiving child pornography in 2006. Vickery is a former chemistry teacher at Villa Maria Academy, one of the Diocese of Erie’s schools.

Vickery also agreed to take responsibility for the conduct charged in two other counts, possessing and receiving child pornography, which federal prosecutors dropped. He was fired after his arrest in April 2006. According to his attorney, Vickery claims he did not know that viewing child pornography was illegal.

Vickery is a registered sex offender living in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Contact us today.

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 now have legal options to recover damages due to a compensation fund created for victims. Contact us at (954) 641-2100 or adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com today.

Mr. Vincent Valentine (School Employee) – Diocese of Erie

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Mr. Vincent “Vance” Valentine
Diocese of Erie

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Mr. Vincent “Vance” Valentine:

Mr. Vincent “Vance” Valentine is listed in the Diocese of Erie’s public disclosure list of both priests and lay people associated with the church that have been credibly accused of actions that, in the diocese’s judgment, disqualify that person from working with children. According to the Diocese of Erie, to be included on the list, a person “was credibly accused of actions that, in the diocese’s judgment, disqualify that person from working with children.  Such actions could include the use of child pornography, furnishing pornography to minors, corruption of minors, violating a child-protection policy, failure to prevent abuse that they knew to be happening, and — in some cases — direct physical sexual abuse or sexual assault of minors.”

The Diocese of Erie has not released any information about the allegation(s) against Valentine, including the age/gender of his victim(s) or the number of allegation(s) made against him. All that is known is that he was a school employee in the Diocese of Erie at some point.

Valentine died in 1972.

Contact us today.

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 now have legal options to recover damages due to a compensation fund created for victims. Contact us at (954) 641-2100 or adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com today.

Mr. Ron Thomsen (Lay Volunteer) – Diocese of Erie

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Mr. Ron Thomsen
Diocese of Erie

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Mr. Ron Thomsen:

Mr. Ron Thomsen is listed on the Diocese of Erie’s public list of lay people associated with the Diocese who have been credibly accused of actions that, in the diocese’s judgment, disqualify that person from working with children. According to the Diocese of Erie, to be included on its list, a person was “credibly accused of actions that, in the diocese’s judgment, disqualify that person from working with children.  Such actions could include the use of child pornography, furnishing pornography to minors, corruption of minors, violating a child-protection policy, failure to prevent abuse that they knew to be happening, and — in some cases — direct physical sexual abuse or sexual assault of minors.”

The Diocese of Erie has not released any information about the allegation(s) against Thomsen, including the age/gender of his victim(s) or the number of allegation(s) made against him. All that is known is that he was a volunteer associated with the Diocese of Erie at some point.

According to the Diocese of Erie, Thomsen still resides in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Contact us today.

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 now have legal options to recover damages due to a compensation fund created for victims. Contact us at (954) 641-2100 or adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com today.

Mr. Brian Radachy (Teacher) – Diocese of Erie

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Mr. Brian Radachy
Diocese of Erie

Brian J Radachy Horowitz Law
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Mr. Brian Radachy:

According to media reports, Brian Radachy was sentenced to 200 months in prison by a federal judge after being found guilty of knowingly receiving and distributing child pornography in 2010.

When the FBI raided Radachy’s Brookfield, Ohio home, they found 600 CDs containing child pornography. Investigators said when they questioned Radachy about the material he admitted he possessed approximately 1,000 CDs with child pornographic images and videos.

At the time of his arrest, Radachy was a registered sex offender, having been previously convicted on charges that he had sexual contact with an adult incapable of consent in New York state during the summer of 2003.

It is unclear when Radachy worked as a teacher for the Diocese of Erie, and at which schools he worked.  The Diocese of Erie did not release this information.

Radachy is listed in the Diocese of Erie’s public disclosure list of both priests and lay people associated with the church that have been credibly accused of actions that, in the diocese’s judgment, disqualify that person from working with children. These actions range from corruption of minors to direct physical sexual abuse or sexual assault of minors.  The Diocese of Erie has not indicated if it is in possession of information that Radachy may have committed sexual misconduct beyond that which is already public records.

Radachy is incarcerated in a federal prison in Lisbon, Ohio until 2024.

Contact us today.

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 now have legal options to recover damages due to a compensation fund created for victims. Contact us at (954) 641-2100 or adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com today.

Mr. Philip J. Pochatko (Teacher) – Diocese of Erie

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Mr. Philip J. Pochatko
Diocese of Erie

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Mr. Philip J. Pochatko:

Mr. Philip J. Pochatko is listed in the Diocese of Erie’s public disclosure list of both priests and lay people associated with the church that have been credibly accused of actions that, in the diocese’s judgment, disqualify that person from working with children. These actions range from corruption of minors to direct physical sexual abuse or sexual assault of minors.

The Diocese of Erie has not released any information about the allegation(s) against Pochatko, including the age/gender of his victim(s) or the number of allegation(s) made against him. All that is known is that he was a school teacher when the alleged misconduct took place.

According to the Diocese of Erie, Pochatko still resides in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Contact us today.

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 now have legal options to recover damages due to a compensation fund created for victims. Contact us at (954) 641-2100 or adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com today.