[ad_1]
Retired priest – and brother of late Genoese criminal family boss Vincent ‘Chin’ Gigante – accused of sexually assaulting 9-year-old boy during Bible study sessions in the 1970s
- Former Saint-Athanase church priest Louis Gigante faces charges for alleged sexual assault in the 1970s
- Lawsuit Says Gigante Assaulted 9-Year-Old Boy In Bible Study By “Finding Ways To Keep Him Alone And By Performing Oral Sex Multiple Times”
- The lawsuit also alleges the Parish and Archdiocese of New York were aware of the abuse and failed to combat it
- Gigante, brother of Genoese family mafia boss Vincent Gigante, is one of 177 named in various lawsuits against parishioners and archdiocese officials
A retired priest was accused of assaulting a Bible student in his Bronx parish in the 1970s.
A lawsuit was filed against Louis Gigante, brother of late Mafia boss Vincent Gigante, in May, alleging he assaulted a nine-year-old boy at St. Athanasius Church in 1976-77.
According to court documents obtained by the Daily News, Gigante forced the victim to “endure prolific and deep abuse.”
The lawsuit, which does not name the victim, seeks unspecified damages from the church, as well as the Archdiocese of New York.
Former Saint Athanase Church priest Louis Gigante (pictured) has been accused of assaulting a 9-year-old Bible studies student in his Bronx parish in the 1970s.
‘[The] the plaintiff would attend a Bible study at church with Father Gigante and (he) would find ways to get the plaintiff alone… and give him oral sex on several occasions, â€the lawsuit claims.
The complaint alleges that the parish and the archdiocese “knew or should have known that Father Gigante was sexually abusing children and / or had the inclination to do soâ€.
He also indicates that the risk of sexual abuse of the victim was “open and obvious and known to many students, children, members of the clergy and the administration” and continues to accuse the accused of having taken no action to end the abuse.
Neither the Archdiocese nor St. Athanasius Church immediately responded to DailyMail.com’s request for comment.
Gigante is one of 177 people named in a “wave of lawsuits” against individuals associated with the Archdiocese of New York. The complaints were filed under the Child Victims Act 2019, which gave child victims of sexual abuse a one-year time limit to pursue cases that had already passed the statute of limitations. The law, which expires August 14, has been extended twice.
Gigante (middle) is one of 177 people named in a “wave of lawsuits†against individuals associated with the Archdiocese of New York. He is known for his work in local politics as well as for his commitment to the South Bronx community.
Gigante (right) is the younger brother of Vincent Gigante, convicted boss of the Genovese criminal family. He was by Vincent’s side when he was accused and convicted
New York law firm Curis Law, which represents the plaintiff in the case against Gigante, issued a statement to the Bronx Hours saying they hope to see the statute of limitations permanently removed for child sexual abuse survivors.
“We commend all child sexual abuse survivors for stepping forward and seeking justice,” the statement read. “It is unfortunate that the August 14, 2021 deadline is soon coming to an end and that New York State is implementing new legislation to remove time restrictions, as the trauma and suffering of these survivors is eternal. . ”
Gigante is the youngest of five brothers, one of whom was Vincent Gigante, the convicted boss of the Genoese crime family.
The former priest supported Vincent when he was accused and convicted.
Gigante is also known for his work in local politics, particularly his role in the economic and community development of the Bronx.
Publicity
[ad_2]
