Posted on June 30, 2016 | Assault, California, Child Abuse, Child Molestation, Church, clergy sexual abuse, Firm News, Lewd acts, Los Angeles, Molestation, Orange County, Pedophile, Rape, Sex Offender, Sexual Abuse, Sexual Molestation

Long Beach Teacher Arrested on Suspicion of “Continual Sexual Abuse” of Student

Jason Gorski, 43, has been arrested on suspicion of continually sexually abusing a male student of his from 2007 to 2009, while the child was 12 to 15 years old. At the time, Gorski was a teacher at a private school in Long Beach. Since then, he has left the school and was arrested in… read more

Catholic Priest in Modesto Placed on Leave Pending Investigation Into Allegations of Sexual Misconduct

Rev. Editho Mascardo, a priest at Modesto’s Holy Family Catholic Church, has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into allegations that he engaged in inappropriate conduct with a minor. The Holy Family Catholic Church is part of the Diocese of Stockton, overseen by Bishop Stephen Blaire. The Stockton Police Department is investigating the… read more

Criminal Charges Brought Against Franciscan Friars Following Molestation Revelations

Three leaders of the Franciscan Religious Order, Giles Schinelli, Robert D’Aversa, and Anthony M. Criscitelli, have been criminally charged following allegations that they knowingly allowed a child molester to take on jobs, including a position as a high school athletic trainer, that enabled him to molest more than 100 children. That friar, Stephen Baker, killed… read more

Youth Pastor at Orange County Church Arrested for Sexual Assault

Sean Patrick Aday, a 38-year-old youth pastor at Grace Community Church of Saddleback Valley in Lake Forest, California, has been arrested following allegations that he sexually assaulted multiple girls in their teens and early 20’s. The assaults are said to have taken place at the Church and on Church sponsored trips abroad. Aday was arrested… read more

Bible Study Teacher Arrested for Child Molestation

A 54 year old man named Shawn Edward Shaffer has been arrested on suspicion of molesting multiple young boys under the age of 16. Shaffer of Corona, California, was a bible study teacher. While some victims have come forward, the Corona Police Department is looking for any one who may have information. For more information… read more

Catholic Diocese of Santa Rosa Settles Childhood Sexual Abuse Case for 3.5 Million Dollars

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Santa Rosa has agreed to pay 3.5 million dollars to settle a lawsuit filed by a 17-year-old boy who alleged that a diocesan priest molested him when he was 12. The plaintiff was represented by Manly, Stewart & Finaldi. The priest, Father Ted Oswald, died in 2010. The Plaintiff alleged… read more

Major Child Pornography Bust Nets Police Officers, Scoutmasters, Clergy

A joint operation between US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and New York authorities has resulted in the arrest of 71 individuals for the possession, production, and distribution of child pornography. Disturbingly, many of those arrested hold positions of authority and trust, including a rabbi, police officers, a paramedic with the Fire Department, TSA agents… read more

With Bankruptcy Filing, Diocese of Stockton Joins Ranks of Other Bankrupt Dioceses

On Wednesday, January 15, 2014, the Diocese of Stockton became the 10th Diocese in the nation to file for bankruptcy protection in the face of mounting liability stemming from childhood sexual abuse allegations. The move comes on the heels of the indictment of one of the Diocese’s priests for child molestation. The Diocese estimates that… read more

Father Kelly Facing 14 Years in Prision Following Grand Jury Indictment

Father Michael Kelly, a long time priest of the Diocese of Stockton, has been indicted by a grand jury on three counts of lewd and lascivious conduct on a child and one count of oral copulation. Kelly, who has not been defrocked, faces up to 14 years in prison. The District Attorney’s Office will seek… read more

Posted on January 15, 2014 | Attorney, Child Abuse, Child Molestation, clergy sexual abuse, Firm News

Diocese of Stockton Files for Bankruptcy

The Diocese of Stockton has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy because it can no longer afford to pay legal expenses in connection with clergy sexual abuse allegations. The city of Stockton is also filing for bankruptcy. The Stockton Diocese is one of ten total dioceses in the United States to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy… read more