Fr. Paul Henry Leech
Removed from ministry 5/4/1984. Sent to the House of Affirmation in MA. Arrested. Pleaded no contest in 8/1985 to eight counts of sexually assaulting 4 boys, ages 10-16, between 1979 and 1984. Sentenced in 10/1985 to eighty-six years in prison, but after a plea for leniency was given three years in prison and twelve years’ probation. In 1994 a civil lawsuit was filed on behalf of one youth. Per the suit, prior to 1980 Leech was known to the bishop to have a habit of making advances on young boys. Another suit may have been filed in 1985. In 2014 a man told the Diocese that Leech sexually abused him on one occasion 1979-1980. In 7/2020 the Diocese received a report that Leech sexually abused a boy in summer 1984. Neither case could be prosecuted because of the statute of limitations. Included on the Diocese’s list 7/1/2019. Reportedly in 2020 Leech was living in Rochester, NY, and going by his first name, Paul. Included in the 3/4/2026 RI Attorney General’s Report.
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