BUFFALO (NY)
WGRZ-TV [Buffalo NY]
August 3, 2026
By WGRZ Staff
The Buffalo Diocese’s review board substantiated misconduct allegations against Rev. O’Keefe, recommended clerical removal for Nowak, and cleared Rev. Gatto
The Buffalo Diocese is releasing the results from its Independent Review Board (IRB) investigations into several members of the clergy.
According to the Diocese, the board looked into allegations against Reverends Joseph Gatto and Patrick O’Keefe and the federal case against Reverend Jeffrey Nowak.
The Diocese says the IRB did not start its own separate inquiry into Father Nowak, but relied on the investigation from the Department of Justice and the FBI. Nowak, who has been on leave since 2019, was arrested last month on allegations that he possessed and distributed child sexual abuse material. In response to his indictment, the IRB recommended that Nowak be removed from clerical state in an expedited manner. As of July 15, Bishop Fisher had instructed the Diocese’s Judicial Vicar to gather the necessary documentation to begin that process.
Father Gatto voluntarily removed himself from active ministry in March, as the IRB conducted an investigation into allegations made by the mother of a teenager who died in 2017. Officials say those allegations against Gatto, including accusations that he had an inappropriate relationship with the teen or that he did anything to contribute to the teen’s death, are unsubstantiated. The Board recommended that Gatto be cleared to carry out his priestly ministry.
The IRB says it was able to substantiate allegations against Father O’Keefe. He was first suspended by the Diocese last October over sexual harassment claims. The board recommended that Rev. O’Keefe not be allowed to resume active ministry at this time.
The Diocese says Bishop Fisher has accepted the unanimous recommendations of the IRB in each of these three cases.