Fr. Norbert Paul LaCosse
Pastor of American Martyrs Parish in Kingsford when removed from public ministry in 7/1990 due to an allegation of child sexual abuse. LaCosse admitted and described the abuse to his victim, who was wired by law enforcement, and said “there have been others.” Pleaded guilty in the early 1990s to four counts of abusing the altar boy 1988-1990. The boy was age 12 at the time of the sentencing. Charges were filed in three counties but dropped in one. Sentenced to 3-15 years on each count. Treated at St. Luke’s Institute for six months between the time charges were filed and sentencing. Served 6 1/2 years in prison and was released. Registered sex offender in MI beginning in 1995. A lawsuit by his victim settled in 1999. His brother came forward in 2004, alleging abuse at age 15 in 1955. Also in 2004 a man reported assault by LaCosse when he was 17 in 1957; a police officer caught them in a car and did nothing; the boy told a priest in confession who told him to keep it quiet. Another allegation in 2007 of abuse in 1962. LaCosse died 7/21/2014 at a Marquette nursing center. Included in the MI Attorney General’s 10/2022 report.
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