Fr. John D. Lewandowski
First named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list 3/20/2018. Noted to have died in 1982. Sent in early 1966 to a Bemus Point diocesan retreat house after pastor expressed concern to the bishop about Lewandowski’s behavior with a teenage boy. The retreat house was said to have been “a penal house for wayward priests.” Was a suspect in the murder of another priest there; investigation was shut down after Lewandowski became a suspect. Returned to ministry. Moved in 1969 to a Tupper Lake parish in the Ogdensburg diocese. Accused in a 10/2019 lawsuit of abuse of a boy, ages 13-14, at Ss. Peter and Paul in Jamestown, where Lewandowski was assigned in the early 1960s. Suit filed in 7/2020 claims abuse 1962-1963 of another child, ages 13-14. New suit in 12/2020, claiming abuse of a boy, age 14, in 1960. Accused by at least four men under the NY Child Victims Act of having abused them as boys.
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