NEW ORLEANS (LA)
WVUE [New Orleans LA]
June 12, 2025
By Chris Joseph
The Louisiana Board of Pardons and Parole denied former Slidell priest Patrick Brian Wattigny’s request for an early release.
Wattigny is currently serving a five year sentence for two counts of molestation of a juvenile. He was sentenced in 2023, and also faces another five years of probation, sex offender registration and notification, and a “no contact” order concerning the victims.
The board heard Wattigny and two supporters speak in favor of the shortened sentence. he said his main reason for seeking parole was to be a caregiver for his parents.
“I know I can be of vital help to them if I’m released early,” he said.
Wattigny said he had an “inappropriate relationship” with a student in 2013 and inappropriately texted a student in 2020. He said Archbishop Gregory Aymond was alerted to the latter.
“The archbishop called me in February 2020 and asked me if I had done this, yes I had. He said do you give me your word you will not do it again? I said yes I would. I held to that for a little while and then I gave in and during the pandemic I texted this person again,” he said.
Board members noted that law enforcement and prosecutors strongly urged the board to reject his request.
One of the survivors of Wattigny’s crimes, Tim Gioe, also urged the board not to grant the parole.
“This trauma isn’t behind me, it’s still with me. It affects how I parent my kids. It affects my marriage. It affects how safe I feel in the world,” he said.
He said a release of Wattigny would undermine accountability for his actions.
“I was a child when he chose to prey on me, when he used his spiritual authority to groom and manipulate me. That wasn’t a mistake, it was predatory,” he said.
The board unanimously voted against the parole.
Board member Danny Barras said he had “no choice” but to deny the request.
Gioe sent Fox 8 a statement reading:
“I’m relieved and grateful that the parole board denied Patrick Wattigny early release. He is a predator who used his position to exploit and harm children, including me. While I believe his sentence should have been longer, this decision is a small step toward justice. I hope lawmakers continue to strengthen protections so that abusers like him are held fully accountable and never get the chance to hurt another child again.”
This story will be updated.