Sexual abuse scandal in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix

In 2002, Maricopa County district attorney Rick Romley launched a grand jury investigation into cases of sexual abuse of minors by priests and the handling of those accusations by the Diocese of Phoenix leadership.{{cite news |last=Gibson |first=David |date=2003-06-07 |title=The Bishop and the Prosecutor |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9903E5D71639F934A35755C0A9659C8B63 |work=The New York Times}} As part of this investigation, Romley reached an agreement with O'Brien:

• O'Brien would appoint a moderator of the curia, a priest with total responsibility for the sexual abuse policy of the diocese
• O'Brien would appoint a youth protection advocate with total responsibility for enforcing these policies
• All diocesan personnel would follow state laws on reporting sexual abuse allegations.
• O'Brien agreed to create a fund to pay for counseling and treatment of those sexually assaulted by priests during his tenure.{{Cite web |date=June 2, 2003 |title=text of the agreement between Maricopa County Attorney Rick Romley, Bishop Thomas O'Brien and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix |url=https://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2003_01_06/2003_06_02_ArizonaRepublic_TextOf.htm |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=The Arizona Republic |via=Bishop Accountability.org}}

As part of this agreement, O'Brien admitted to have "allowed priests under his supervision to have contact with minors after becoming aware of allegations of criminal sexual misconduct" and acknowledging "transferring offending priests to situations where children could be further victimized." In return for this admission, the State of Arizona agreed to forego prosecuting O'Brien for any possible crimes related to this admission.

On February 25, 2020, Revered Thomas Spaulding, who was accused of sexually abusing at least two boys in Maricopa County, died awaiting trial.{{Cite web |last=Castle |first=Lauren |date=February 26, 2020 |title=Former Arizona Catholic priest dies before trial on child abuse charges |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2020/02/26/roman-catholic-diocese-phoenix-mesa-priest-john-jack-spaulding-dies-child-sex-crimes/4883112002/ |website=azcentral.com}} Spaulding, who was 75 years old when he died, was charged in January 2020 with six counts of sexual misconduct and one charge of child molestatation.

In 1992, a teenage boy's family reported that their son had been sexually assaulted between 1980 and 198 by Briceno, then an assistant pastor at St. Mary's Parish in Chandler. They allowed the boy to have sleepovers at the rectory, when Briceno assaulted him. After the diocese suspended Briceno from ministry that year, he went to Mexicali, Mexico, to serve in a parish there. When the diocese asked him to return to Arizona, he refused. In June 2003, Briceno was indicted by the Maricopa District Attorney on one count of sexual abuse, six counts of sexual conduct with a minor and one count of attempted sexual conduct with a minor.{{Cite web |last=Machay |first=John |date=January 5, 2006 |title=Ex Avondale priest returns to face charges |url=http://www.westvalleyview.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=20317 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718034514/http://www.westvalleyview.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=20317 |archive-date=18 July 2011 |website=West Valley View |via=Web Archive}}{{Cite news |date=September 15, 2006 |title=Trial date is set for former priest accused of abuse |url=https://archive.today/20130910194419/http://www.culteducation.com/reference/clergy/clergy613.html#selection-19.1-19.53 |work=Arizona / West |via=Cult Education}}

In December 2005, Briceno was arrested by Mexican authorities and flown back to the United States.{{Cite web |date=January 4, 2006 |title=Regional Briefing Priest Flown Back to Face Sex Charges |url=https://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2006/01_02/2006_01_04_AP_RegionalBriefing.htm |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=Arizona Daily Star |via=Bishop Accountability.org}} He pleaded guilty in October 2006 to two felony counts of sexual conduct with a minor.{{Cite web |last=Grado |first=Gary |date=18 October 2006 |title=Priest pleads guilty in sex case |url=http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/local/chandler/priest-pleads-guilty-in-sex-case/article_1b7098d8-461b-57e7-9861-bd24a3edb3ce.html |access-date=April 22, 2025 |website=East Valley.com}} He was sentenced in December 2006 to two years in prison and three years on probation. However, since he had already served one year in prison, his actual prison time would be 90 days.{{Cite web |last=Grado |first=Gary |date=December 16, 2006 |title=Ex-Priest Sentenced for Sex with Teen |url=https://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2006/11_12/2006_12_16_Grado_ExPriest.htm |access-date=3 August 2023 |website=East Valley Tribune |via=Bishop Accountability.org}}{{Cite web |last=Marx |first=Gary |last2=Boyer |first2=Brian |date=March 11, 2012 |title=Fugitives from justice: Roman Catholic priests |url=http://media.apps.chicagotribune.com/fugitives/priests.html#!/detail/joseph-briceno |website=Chicago Tribune}}

{{Main|Dale Fushek}}

In May 2002, Fushek disclosed that in 1995 the diocese had settled a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against him by a former Life Teen staff member. In April 2004, Bishop Thomas Olmsted accepted Fushek's resignation from his position as vicar general. In late December 2004, additional complaints against Fushek emerged and the diocese began to conduct an investigation. Fushek was placed on paid administrative leave shortly thereafter.

Fushek was arrested on November 21, 2005, and charged with ten criminal misdemeanor counts related to alleged sexual contact with teens and young adults. The charges included three counts of misdemeanor assault, five of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and two of indecent exposure.{{Cite web |date=November 22, 2005 |title=Monsignor in Phoenix arrested on sex charges |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-11-22-monsignor-arrested_x.htm?POE=NEWISVA |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20080509001618/http://www.usatoday.com:80/news/nation/2005-11-22-monsignor-arrested_x.htm?POE=NEWISVA |archive-date=2008-05-09 |access-date=2025-05-14 |website=USATODAY.com |via=Web Archive}} The number of counts was reduced to seven when one of the victims died.[http://archive.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/2008/12/16/20081216fushek1216.html Clancy, Michael. "Excommunicated priest's rise and fall", The Arizona Republic, December 16, 2008] On April 15, 2010, Fushek pled guilty to one count of misdemeanor assault. He was sentenced to 364 days of probation and fined $250. Four other charges were dropped. The plea agreement eliminated the need for other alleged victims to testify at a trial.{{Cite news |last=Thomas |first=Jennifer |date=April 15, 2010 |title=Defrocked priest pleads guilty to assaulting teen |url=http://www.azfamily.com/news/local/Defrocked-priest-pleads-guilty-to-assault-charge-90964474.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20150102062348/http://www.azfamily.com/news/local/Defrocked-priest-pleads-guilty-to-assault-charge-90964474.html |archive-date=2015-01-02 |access-date=2025-05-14 |work=AZ family.com |language=en-US |via=Web Archive}}{{Cite web |last=Walsh |first=Jim |date=April 15, 2010 |title=Defrocked priest Dale Fushek pleads guilty to misdemeanor |url=http://www.azcentral.com/community/mesa/articles/2010/04/15/20100415defrocked-priest-fushek-pleads-guilty.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20160303173556/http://www.azcentral.com/community/mesa/articles/2010/04/15/20100415defrocked-priest-fushek-pleads-guilty.html |archive-date=2016-03-03 |access-date=2025-05-14 |website=AZcentral.com |via=Web Archive}}

In 1979, Benjamin Kulina and his parents met with Bishop James Rausch to complain about Giandelone, then assigned to St. Joseph's Parish in Phoenix. They told Rausch that Giandelone had sexually abused Benjamin several times in Chandler and on a camping trip. Rausch referred the family to Monsignor Thomas O'Brien, then the vicar general of the diocese. O'Brien advised the Kulinas to not say anything about it and let the diocese handle him. The diocese sent Giandelone to the Servants of the Paraclete treatment center in Jemez Springs, New Mexico, and then assigned him to St. Mary's Parish in Chandler{{Cite web |last=Reaves |first=Joseph A. |date=December 4, 2002 |title=Officer Says OBrien Hid Abuse by Priest When Lawman Was Boy |url=https://www.bishop-accountability.org/news3/2002_12_04_Reaves_OfficerSays_John_Giandelone_4.htm |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=Arizona Republic |via=Bishop Accountability.org}}

In 1984, Giandelone was a friend of Lillian and Al Jones, along with their 15-year-old son Fred, parishioners at St. Mary's. While Giandelone was visiting their home one evening, Al discovered him having oral sex with Fred. Fred then admitted to his parents that the priest had been abusing him for the past two years. The Jones family called the Chandler Police Department. In 1985, Giandelone pleaded guilty to attempted child molesting and was sentenced to one year in jail. However, a work release program allowed him to continue working days in the diocese. Diocesan records later showed that Giandelone had abused another teenage boy in 1980 and the diocese had sent him away for treatment.{{Cite web |last=Greene |first=Terry |date=October 25, 1989 |title=Father John |url=https://www.bishop-accountability.org/news3/1989_10_25_Greene_FatherJohn_John_Giandelone_1.htm |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=Phoenix New Times |via=Bishop Accountability.org}}

In December 2002, Benjamin Kulina spoke with prosecutors about his sexual abuse by Giandelone. He had left the priesthood in the later 1980s and was now living in Fort Myers, Florida. He was charged that month with charged with three counts of sexual misconduct.{{Cite web |last=Kovac |first=Adam |date=December 4, 2002 |title=Ex Priest Accused in Ariz Teen Sex Case |url=https://www.bishop-accountability.org/news3/2002_12_04_Kovac_ExPriest_John_Giandelone_2.htm |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=News-Press |via=Bishop Accountability.org}} Giandelone pleaded guilty in January 2003 to two counts of child molestation and was sentenced to between nine and 22 months in prison.{{Cite web |last=Reaves |first=Joseph A |date=January 10, 2003 |title=Ex Priest Is Guilty Will Help Authorities |url=https://www.bishop-accountability.org/news3/2003_01_10_Reaves_ExPriest_John_Giandelone_6.htm |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=Arizona Republic |via=Bishop Accountability.org}}

A lawsuit was filed against the diocese in June 2003 by a young man who claimed to have been sexually abused by Henn, a Salvatorian priest. The plaintiff claimed that Henri, then serving at St. Mark Parish in East Phoenix, started abusing him when he was a 12-year-old altar in 1976; the abuse lasted for three years.{{Cite web |last=Reaves |first=Joseph A. |date=June 26, 2003 |title=O'Brien Diocese Sued 19th Priest Accused of Abuse |url=https://www.bishop-accountability.org/news3/2003_06_26_Reaves_OBrienDiocese_Joseph_Henn_2.htm |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Arizona Republic |via=Bishop Accountability.org}} In 1983, the diocese learned of Henn's relationship with the victim as well as his abuse of a second boy, who committed suicide. The Salvatorians then assigned Henn to a girls' school in the Diocese of Sacramento.{{Cite web |last=MACDONALD-EVOY |first=JEROD |date=2023-08-18 |title=Appeals court says Phoenix Diocese can't duck sex abuse lawsuit |url=https://www.bishop-accountability.org/2023/08/appeals-court-says-phoenix-diocese-cant-duck-sex-abuse-lawsuit/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Arizona Mirror |language=en-US |via=Bishop Accountability.org}} The Salvatorians would treat Henn three times for his attraction to boys; they expelled him from the order in 2006.

In August 2003, Henn was indicted on sexually abusing three boys in the 1970s at the church rectory and in a swimming pool. Stationioned in Rome at this time, Henn declared his innocent and fought extradition to the United States.{{Cite web |last=Wagner |first=Dennis |date=August 6, 2003 |title=Ex Valley Priest Indicted in Cases of Molestation |url=https://www.bishop-accountability.org/news3/2003_08_06_Wagner_ExValley_Joseph_Henn_3.htm |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Arizona Republic |via=Bishop Acccountability.org}} The Supreme Court of Cassation in Italy ordered his extradition in July 2006, but he escaped house arrest with the Salvatorians.{{Cite web |title=Priest Who Fled to Italy Will Be Extradited, The Arizona Republic, July 29, 2006 |url=https://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2006/07_08/2006_07_29_ArizonaRepublic_PriestWho.htm |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=www.bishop-accountability.org}}{{Cite web |last=Heinen |first=Tom |date=August 18, 2006 |title=Order's Handling of Accused Priest Angers Victim Group He Has Fled House Arrest in Italy; Superior Says They Did Their Best |url=https://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2006/07_08/2006_08_18_Heinen_OrdersHandling.htm |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |via=Bishop Accountability.org}} In May 2019, Italian police arrested Henn in Rome; he was sent back to Arizona in June.{{Cite web |last=Frank |first=BrieAnna J. |title=Ex-priest returned to Arizona from Italy to face child molestation charges |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2019/06/15/ex-priest-joseph-john-henn-returned-az-italy-child-molestation-charges/1467366001/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=The Arizona Republic |language=en-US}} Several of Henn's victims sued the diocese in 2020. He pleaded guilty in 2021 to six counts of sexual conduct with a minor and one count of attempt to commit molestation of a child.

In September 2002, several Indiana men accused LeBrun, a former priest, of having sexually abused them as boys during the late 1980s and early 1990s. LeBrun, a member of the Congregation of Holy Cross, was a pastor at Little Flower Parish in South Bend, Indiana from 1983 to 1986 and from 1993 to 1999. During the 1980s, the boys were assaulted during a trips to Fort Myers, Florida and other locations. Aware of accusations against him, the Congregation moved LeBrun to the Diocese of Phoenix in 1987. Since the alleged crimes were past the Indiana statute of limitations, LeBrun could not be prosecuted in that state. When the LeBrun story was published in Phoenix, the Diocese of Phoenix began investigating LeBrun's tenure at three Arizona parishes.{{Cite web |last=O'Brien |first=Gwen |date=September 22, 2002 |title=Local Priest Faces Allegations, Former Little Flower Cleric Investigated |url=https://www.bishop-accountability.org/news/2002_09_22_OBrien_LocalPriest.htm |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=South Bend Tribune |via=Bishop Accountability.org}}

LeBrun was indicted by the Maricopa District Attorney in Arizona in May 2003 on one count of child abuse. He was arrested by the Indiana State Police that month for extradition to Florida. More charges were added in July.{{Cite web |last=Shaw |first=Kathy |date=2003-07-16 |title=LeBrun facing more molestation charges |url=https://www.poynter.org/reporting-editing/2003/lebrun-facing-more-molestation-charges/ |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=Poynter |language=en-US}} In November 2005, LeBrun was convicted of three counts of sexual misconduct with a minor and three counts of child molestation. His victims from Indiana testified during the trial.{{Cite web |date=November 18, 2005 |title=Mesa priest guilty of abusing boys |url=http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/news/local/111805a1_churchabuse |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051124235207/http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/news/local/111805a1_churchabuse |archive-date=2005-11-24 |accessdate=3 August 2023 |website=Tucson Citzen |via=Web Archive}}{{Cite web |last=Walsh |first=Jim |date=November 17, 2005 |title=Priest Convicted on Sex Abuse, Faces 100-Plus Years in Prison |url=https://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2005_07_12/2005_11_17_Walsh_PriestConvicted.htm |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=The Arizona Republic |via=Bishop Accountability.org}} He was sentenced to 111 years in state prison in January 2006.{{Cite web |last=O'Connell |first=Patrick M. |date=January 14, 2006 |title=Ex-Local Priest Gets 111 Years LeBrun sentenced for sex abuse in Arizona |url=http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2006/01_02/2006_01_14_OConnell_ExLocal.htm |website=South Bend Tribune |via=Bishop Accountability.org}}

In 2001, a young man reported to the diocese that he had been sexually abused by LeClaire over a seven-period, starting when the victim was 13-years-old in 1993. LeClaire was the pastor at Queen of Peace Parish in Mesa and principal of the parish school. During that period, LeClaire took the boy to Rome and Puerto Rico and gave him expensive gifts. The victim sued the diocese in August 2002, claiming that the diocese was aware of LeClaire's pedophilia, but kept him in ministry.{{Cite web |last=Reaves |first=Joseph A |date=August 14, 2002 |title=Mesa Priest Is Sued in Boys Molestation |url=https://www.bishop-accountability.org/news3/2002_08_14_Reaves_MesaPriest_Karl_LeClaire_2.htm |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Arizona Republi |via=Bishop Accountability.org}} In June 2003, LeClaire was indicted on charges of child molestation and sexual conduct with a minor.{{Cite web |date=June 10, 2003 |title=Former Catholic Principal Arraigned on Abuse Charges, |url=https://www.bishop-accountability.org/news3/2003_06_10_AP_FormerCatholic_Karl_LeClaire_3.htm |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Associated Press State & Local Wire |via=Bishop Accountability.org}} LeClaire pleaded guilty in October 2004 to one count of aggravated assault with sexual motivation.{{Cite web |last=Walsh |first=Jim |date=October 29, 2004 |title=Priest Gets Plea Bargain, Ending Molestation Trial |url=https://www.bishop-accountability.org/news3/2004_10_29_Walsh_PriestGets_Karl_LeClaire_5.htm |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Arizona Republic (Phoenix) |via=Bishop Accountability.org}} He was sentenced to one year in jail and three years of probation.{{Cite web |last=Grado |first=Gary |date=January 29, 2005 |title=Mesa Catholic Priest Gets 1 Year in Jail |url=https://www.bishop-accountability.org/news3/2005_01_29_Grado_MesaCatholic_Karl_LeClaire_1.htm |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=EastValleyTribune.com |via=Bishop Accountability.org}} The diocese settled the lawsuit with LeClaire's victim for $40,000 in 2006.{{Cite web |last=Clancy |first=Michael Clancy |date=January 26, 2006 |title=Abuse Cases End Quietly for Diocese 5 Lawsuits Settled out of Court |url=https://www.bishop-accountability.org/news3/2006_01_26_Clancy_AbuseCases_Robert_Gluch_ETC_2.htm |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Arizona Republic |via=Bishop Accountability.org}}

In December 2006 the diocese agreed to pay $100,000 to William Cesolini who claimed he was sexually assaulted as a teenager by a priest, Mark Lehman, and a former teen minister, Phil Baniewicz, at a Mesa church. Fushek, who was pastor of that parish, was accused in the suit of giving alcohol to the teen and then watching Lehman sexually abuse Cesolini."Catholic Diocese of Phoenix Settles Sex-Abuse Claim", Associated Press, Arizona Daily Star, December 27, 2006

In September 2016, a man file a lawsuit against the diocese, claiming that O'Brien, when a priest, sexually molested him on several occasions at parishes in Phoenix and Goodyear from 1977 to 1982.{{cite web |last=BILLEAUD |first=JACQUES |date=4 August 2017 |title=Ex-Catholic Bishop of Phoenix Accused of Sex Abuse of Boy |url=http://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/arizona/articles/2017-08-03/ex-catholic-bishop-of-phoenix-accused-of-sex-abuse-of-boy |access-date=3 August 2023 |website=Associated Press |via=US News & World Report}} The alleged victim said they were repressed memories that he recalled only recently. O'Brien, retired as bishop, denied the charges and the diocese said he was never assigned to the parishes mentioned in the lawsuit.{{Cite news |last=Stevens |first=Matt |date=2017-08-04 |title=Lawsuit Accuses Former Phoenix Bishop of Sexually Abusing Boy |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/04/us/bishop-sexual-abuse-phoenix.html |access-date=2025-04-23 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} A judge dismissed some of the charges later that month.{{Cite web |date=August 28, 2017 |title=Judge dismisses some charges against Bishop O'Brien in sex-abuse lawsuit |url=https://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=32484 |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=Catholic World News |via=Catholic Culture.org}} O'Brien died on August 26, 2018, following complications from Parkinson's Disease.{{Cite web |date=27 August 2018 |title=Bishop Thomas J. O'Brien, retired bishop of Phoenix, dies at 82 |url=http://www.catholicsun.org/2018/08/27/bishop-thomas-j-obrien-retired-bishop-of-phoenix-dies-at-82/}}

• Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People
• Essential Norms
• National Review Board
• Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors

{{reflist}}

• [https://dphx.org/youth-protection/ Office of Child and Youth Protection, Diocese of Phoenix]
• [https://www.usccb.org/committees/protection-children-young-people USCCB Committee for the Protection of Children and Young People]
• [http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/child-and-youth-protection/audits.cfm Audits, Child And Youth Protection; US Conference of Catholic Bishops]
• [http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/child-and-youth-protection/charter.cfm Charter For The Protection Of Children And Young People; US Conference of Catholic Bishops]
• [http://www.usccb.org/about/child-and-youth-protection/ Child And Youth Protection; US Conference of Catholic Bishops]
• [http://www.usccb.org/about/child-and-youth-protection/the-national-review-board.cfm National Review Board, Child And Youth Protection; US Conference of Catholic Bishops]
• [http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/child-and-youth-protection/safe-environment.cfm Safe Environment, Child And Youth Protection; US Conference of Catholic Bishops]
• [http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/child-and-youth-protection/victim-assistance.cfm Victim Assistance, Child And Youth Protection; US Conference of Catholic Bishops]

{{SACC}}

{{Abuse}}

Category:Catholic Church sexual abuse scandals in the United States

Category:Child abuse incidents and cases

Category:Crime in Arizona

Category:Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix