Fr. Thomas J. Bender
Found by police in 1972 in a car with a teen boy, both without pants. No consequences. Complaint to diocese 1984 of repeated rape of a boy for years. Two more people later accused Bender of sex abuse in the 1960s. Convicted 1988 of abuse of boy. Given seven years’ probation. Laicized in 5/2005. New accusations 2006; arrested on charges of online solicitation of detective posing as 14-year-old boy. Pled guilty 7/2006 but asked in 8/2006 to withdraw his guilty plea based on a recent appellate decision. Pleaded guilty to federal charges 2/2007. Sentenced to 10 years prison and lifetime probation 5/2008. Released from prison in 2014. Included in the 8/14/2018 PA Grand Jury Report and list released by diocese 8/19/2018.
- San Jose Mercury News 12.31.87
- Newsday 03.22.06
- The Morning Call 03.22.06
- The Morning Call 03.29.06
- Northender 07.14.06
- 1010 Wins 07.17.06
- The Morning Call 07.19.06
- North Country Gazette 08.23.06
- WNBC 08.24.06
- am New York 02.28.07
- NEPA News (AP) 03.01.07
- Times Leader 04.18.08
- WNBC 04.22.08
- WBNC 05.15.08
- Philly com (AP) 05.21.08
- Newsday 05.22.08
- SNAP Statement 12.30.08
- The Morning Call 09.13.16
- Morning Call 06.21.18
- PA Grand Jury Report Profile 08.14.18
- Diocese of Allentown list 08.19.18
- Morning Call 09.01.18
- National Review 09.21.18
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