Second sex abuse claim against priest

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Though it previously appeared only one woman had made a complaint against a Buffalo priest, the Buffalo Catholic Diocese confirmed to News 4 on Monday another woman made a complaint against Father Secondo Casarotto back in 2008.

Father Casarotto worked at St. Anthony of Padua in downtown Buffalo until he was recently put on paid administrative leave after a woman made public her claim of sexual abuse dating from 2009. Diocese spokesman Kevin Keenan had told News 4's Luke Moretti that there was only one allegation of abuse, but that changed on Monday.

In a statement, Keenan told News 4 that around two weeks ago, after the woman had come forward, a second woman called the Catholic Center to say she had reported inappropriate behavior by Father Casarotto in 2008. An exhaustive search turned up no report of the certified letter or receipt the woman said she had sent. The Diocese went one step further, and interviewed all employees who may have handled the report, and found none were familiar with the incident.

On Monday, an employee, who normally wouldn't handle this type of incident, came forward and told officials that he was aware of the complaint from 2008 and felt it appropriate to corroborate the second woman's assertions. The employee stated further had had not told anyone about the complaint, and hadn't kept any notes or letters that may have been connected to it.

The Diocese will be sending this new information to Father Casarotto's religious order, as he is not a diocesan priest.