Fr. Aaron Joseph Cote

Order: OP
Ordained: 1986
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

An 18-year old male filed a lawsuit in 11/2005 alleging sexual abuse by Cote in 2001-2002 while attending Mother Seton parish in Germantown MD. The abuse occurred in both MD and DC. Cote transferred to RI, where he was suspended after the suit. He allegedly abused a second youth in OH in the 1980s. The case settled in 8/2007 for $1.2M, paid by the Order. Cote also worked in Springfield MA. A woman filed suit 4/2008 claiming Cote sexually abused her children. First criminal charges were filed in 7/2008 claiming abuse in 2003. Cote was found guilty in 7/2009 and received 10 years probation in 11/2009. He died in 2012. Included on the Archdiocese of Washington DC’s  list 10/15/2018, the Columbus diocese’s list 3/1/2019, the Dominicans St. Joseph Province list in late 2018, and the Springfield MA diocese’s list 6/2/2021.

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