Fr. Robert E. Mayer

A civil suit filed in 1982 alleged Mayer exposed himself to several boys. Settled. No criminal charges. Moved to another parish. A parishioner in 1984 reported that Mayer had porn and photos of children who were either sleeping or had passed out. There were also concerns that Mayer supplied teenagers with alcohol. Same concerns in 1987. Transferred to another parish in 1988 and again in 1990. Same behavior; a fellow priest told the Archdiocese there were kids “all over the place” at the rectory. Removed from ministry in 7/1991 after an allegation of sexual advances toward a young adult man. Convicted in 1992 of abuse of a girl, age 13. Sentenced to three years in jail. Resigned in 1/1994. New civil suit filed in 6/2006 by four men alleging abuse by as boys by Mayer. The Archdiocese settled at least one claim in 5/2007 in a $6.65M settlement. At least one claim was included in an 8/2008 $12.7M settlement. Laicized in 7/2010. Personnel file released in 1/2014. Died in 10/2019, per the archdiocese’s list updated in 6/2021. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General’s Report, which notes that the Archdiocese reported 51 allegations of sexual abuse by Mayer. Most alleged that Mayer gave alcohol to children, exposed his genitals and engaged in mutual masturbation or fondling.