Fr. James A. Spielman

Bishop Head knew of allegations of abuse at a Jamestown parish in 1989; Spielman was sent to treatment 6 months later. Returned to ministry. Accused in 1993 of sexually abusing an altar boy for 4 years in the 1970s; $150K settlement in 1994. Spielman left the priesthood after the abuse was reported 1993; moved to AK. Possibly in Naalehu HI as of 2011. Worked in HI parishes at some point. Included on the Diocese’s 3/20/2018 list of credibly accused. Settlement in 2016 for $1.5M with a former Walsh High student claiming abuse by Spielman at ages 14-17. The former student said the abuse occurred at school, other places in Buffalo, and in the Honolulu diocese, and that other students were also abused. Spielman also allegedly plied his victims with alcohol and pornography; further, staff at school were told of the abuse, but nothing was done. The suit was v Buffalo and the Honolulu dioceses, Walsh High School, and Southdown Institute in Toronto, where Spielman was treated 12/1989-5/1990 and in 1993. Named in ab 8/2019 lawsuit in NY. Spielman’s name was included in 2019 on the Diocese’s list of credibly accused. The list in 9/2025 shows that Spielman was removed from the clerical state.