Meet Joseph DiSomma, Convicted Felon and Controller of St. Francis Prep

My first year at St. Francis Prep, I worked for Br. Mark. He was the head of the Computer Science and Business Department. I liked him very much. Besides being a good man, on his free periods he would light scented candles in our office and crochet. What's not to like?

A few months into that school year, Br. Mark told me that the man running the school's finances,
Joseph Disomma, is a convicted jewel thief. He told me his nickname is Joey Diamonds, and that he has mafia ties. He told me many things, but that was one of them. That was a biggie. He also told me that so long as he was there, he would protect me from all the nonsense that the administration dished out. Those were his exact words, "I will protect you." Br. Mark quit at the end of that school year  - 2008 - and he had to get permission from Br. Bill Boslet, the Superior General of the Franciscans, to do it. Br. Mark just could not take the bullshit anymore. He gave me three main reasons he was leaving - Br. Leonard, Patrick McLaughlin, and Joseph Disomma. On his last day, he apologized to me. He said "I'm sorry I won't be able to protect you anymore." But I am a big girl, I knew I would handle it.

About a year later, my good friend at the time, Andrea, was overheard in the faculty lounge talking about Joey Diamonds. She was soon summoned to Patrick McLaughlin's office, and Joseph Disomma was there. She was told to never speak of "Joey Diamonds" again, so she didn't.

Someone who is now a reporter for Newsday, and who previously worked at the Daily News, recently forwarded some information about Joseph "Joey Diamonds" Disomma,.

This is what her investigation turned up:


The SFP principal refused to get on the phone with me when told I was

calling about Disomma.

 From Federal Parole spokesman:

Joseph Disomma, DOB 1/28/1966, was sentenced to 57 months in prison

for conspiracy to commit robbery.

He was convicted on May 11, 1992 in the Southern NY District under

Judge Cedarbaum.

His sentence started on Oct. 19, 1993.

He was released on Sept. 19, 1997.

He was at the following facilities in chronological order:

Danbury, CT (minimum security)

Loretto, PA (low security - an UPGRADED security level from min.)

Fort Dix, NJ (low security)

Then to a half-way house under NY Correction supervision

He had 223 days shaved off his sentence for good behavior, and 79 days

credited for time served during the trial.

Newsday (New York)

May 29, 1991, Wednesday, CITY EDITION

Thieves Convicted

BYLINE: M.P. McQueen

SECTION: NEWS; Pg. 83

LENGTH: 87 words

Four men have been convicted on charges they operated a violent

jewelry theft and fencing racket, stealing more than $ 1.2 million

over eight years in robberies from New Jersey to Florida.

Paul Tinnirello, 37, of Babylon, L.I.; Lorenzo Gregory, 36, of Staten

Island, Joseph DiSomma, 25 of Brooklyn and Charles Lachterman, 41, who

is being held in the Metropolitan Correctional Center because he has

been convicted of state burglary charges, were convicted by a federal

district court jury in Manhattan Friday.

U.S. v. FRIEDMAN - Argued November 30, 1992.

174.123.24.242/leagle/xmlcontentlinks.aspx?gfile=998%20F...

U.S. v. FRIEDMAN

U.S. v. FRIEDMAN

998 F.2d 53 (1993)

UNITED STATES of America, Appellee-Cross-Appellant,

v.

Felix FRIEDMAN, Lawrence Tinnirello, Paul Tinnirello, Lorenzo Gregory,

a/k/a "Fat Larry," Frank Mucchiello, a/k/a "Frankie Mooch," Joseph

DiSomma, a/k/a "Joe Diamonds," Francis Tinnirello, Michael Pugliese,

and Charles Lachterman, a/k/a "Charlie Lucky," Defendants,

Charles Lachterman, Defendant-Appellant, and

Joseph DiSomma, Defendant-Appellant-Cross-Appellee.

Nos. 617, 446, 467, Dockets 92-1373, 92-1274, 92-1306.

United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit.

Argued November 30, 1992.

Decided June 10, 1993.

James B. Comey, Asst. U.S. Atty., New York City (Otto G. Obermaier,

U.S. Atty. for the S.D.N.Y., Andrew C. McCarthy, Asst. U.S. Atty., New

York City, of counsel), for appellee-cross-appellant.

Linda Imes, Richards Spears Kibbe & Orbe, New York City (Michele R.M.

Campbell, Debevoise & Plimpton, New York City, of counsel), for

defendant-appellant Charles Lachterman.

Joann Harris, New York City, for defendant-appellant-cross-appellee

Joseph DiSomma.

Before: OAKES and WINTER, Circuit Judges, and CONBOY,* District Judge.

________________________________

WINTER, Circuit Judge:

This appeal by Charles Lachterman and Joseph DiSomma1 involves

questions regarding the applicability of U.S.S.G. § 2X1.1 to Hobbs Act

convictions, a sentencing court's degree of discretion in applying an

obstruction of justice enhancement when the jury has necessarily

concluded that the defendant lied at trial, and the proof sufficient

to establish that predicate acts are related to a criminal RICO

enterprise.

[ 998 F.2d 55 ]

We affirm in part, vacate in part, and remand for resentencing.

DISCUSSION

These appeals arise from convictions following a government

investigation into the criminal activities of the "Friedman/Tinnirello

Organization." Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the

government, the following facts were established at trial. Since 1983,

the Friedman/Tinnirello group, operating from a variety of retail

stores and jewelry booths in Manhattan's 47th Street jewelry district,

fenced hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of stolen personal

property and jewelry. Members of the group also maintained a steady

supply of jewelry through a wide variety of robberies, burglaries, and

fraudulent schemes. The nucleus of the group consisted of three

brothers, Lawrence, Paul, and Francis Tinnirello, as well as Felix

Friedman, Joseph DiSomma, and Lorenzo Gregory. This opinion concerns

only the activities of Joseph DiSomma (Tinnirello's cousin) and

Charles Lachterman, see Note 1 supra, who were convicted for their

roles in the organization.

A. Joseph DiSomma

In the fall of 1989, Lawrence Tinnirello, Lawrence Taylor, and Richard

Skowronski conspired to rob the Telco Jewelry store where Skowronski

worked. United States v. Skowronski,968 F.2d 242 (2d Cir.1992). The

government alleges that Joseph DiSomma, Skowronski's closest friend,

was part of this conspiracy and was instrumental in its planning. The

store carried between $200,000 and $300,000 in inventory and was

equipped with a safe and a metal roll-down gate which covered the

storefront at closing. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the period

of the conspiracy, the store also employed security guards during the

evening hours of business. The plan called for the robbers to enter

the Telco store after the exterior window gates had been closed for

the day and "clean ... the whole ... place out."

Government wire-taps revealed that on November 18, Tinnirello and

Taylor discussed the proposed robbery. Tinnirello indicated that he

would "check ... out" the Telco store, pretending to be an ordinary

customer, and that they would "move" if the store contained at least

$200,000 in jewelry. Two days later, Tinnirello left a message on

DiSomma's answering machine saying that he wanted "to meet Richie

[Skowronski] this week and take a look at that thing." DiSomma

returned the call, saying that he had spoken with Skowronski about the

plan. The two agreed that they should meet with Skowronski after

Thanksgiving. On November 27, Tinnirello informed DiSomma that he and

Taylor would check out the Telco store the following day, but would

warn Skowronski of their planned visit. DiSomma added that Skowronski

should not greet them, thereby revealing that he knew them, but should

just "be cool" when they arrived at the store.

On Thanksgiving morning, Tinnirello recruited Charles Lachterman, a

professional thief, for the robbery, saying:

I got an inside guy that works somewhere. The same thing that me and

you are into.... Its just him and two girls, and he wants to take the

whole ... place.... I already, right, have two guys.... Now my friend

works in there. You understand? So it's a setup. Ya put the ... gate

down, ya take the showcases, the ... vault, and leave.

On December 13, attempting to prevent the robbery, FBI agents visited

Skowronski, accused him of planning to rob the Telco store, and

implied that one of his associates had informed on him. Skowronski

asserted his innocence, denied knowledge of any wrongdoing, and the

agents left. Skowronski drove to a phone booth, made three phone

calls, and returned home. Shortly thereafter, DiSomma arrived at

Skowronski's residence. The two drove to a pay phone booth and called

Tinnirello. DiSomma told Tinnirello that "[w]e got trouble" and urged

him to "go out to a pay phone and call me back." Tinnirello protested

that he had no car available and asked what was wrong. DiSomma

answered that there was trouble for them and Skowronski, but told

Tinnirello to keep quiet. When Tinnirello insisted his phone was not

tapped and pressed DiSomma for details, DiSomma refused to disclose

more, saying only that the situation was serious

[ 998 F.2d 56 ]

and that Tinnirello must get to a pay phone.

Later that day, DiSomma and Tinnirello spoke of the FBI's visit to

Skowronski and the possibility that Skowronski would cooperate with

the government. DiSomma argued that Skowronski would not cooperate

because he is a "stand-up kid." DiSomma later advised Tinnirello that

he had taken care of Skowronski's nervousness. Two days later, DiSomma

told Tinnirello in a coded conversation that Skowronski's co-worker at

the Telco Jewelry store had been contacted by the FBI but that

"everything is good." Tinnirello conveyed that DiSomma should dispose

of his firearm, and DiSomma replied that both he and Skowronski

already had.

DiSomma was later arrested and charged with RICO conspiracy and

substantive offenses, a Hobbs Act violation, and mail fraud. A jury

convicted him only on the Hobbs Act charge. He attacks this conviction

as unsupported by the evidence, violative of his due process rights,

and improper because the lower court should have dismissed the charge

for lack of venue. He also challenges the sentencing court's

three-point addition for possession of a firearm in connection with

the robbery conspiracy. We affirm.

The government cross-appeals DiSomma's sentence, arguing that the

district court improperly applied U.S.S.G. § 2X1.1 and improperly

considered the obstruction of justice enhancement as discretionary. We

agree and remand for resentencing.

DiSomma argues that the evidence does not support his conviction under

the Hobbs Act. First, he claims that there is insufficient evidence of

any conspiracy at all. The wiretaps, in his view, record only

Tinnirello's rambling, incoherent monologues and not a conspiracy

joined by others. He next argues that, even if Tinnirello and others

were planning a robbery, there is insufficient evidence that he was

involved. DiSomma characterizes his phone calls to Tinnirello as part

of his effort to help his cousin through a difficult time. As for the

references to "the thing" involving Telco Jewelry, DiSomma claims that

it is just as likely that he was simply directing Tinnirello and

Taylor to Telco in order to facilitate a legitimate jewelry purchase.

He claims Taylor was looking for a diamond engagement ring and that he

referred him to Skowronski for the purchase. He also argues that his

incriminating phone calls to Tinnirello following the FBI visit may be

equally well understood as reflecting his concern over unrelated

schemes.

DiSomma mistakes our task on appeal. DiSomma's testimony was submitted

to the jury who weighed it and found it wanting. It is not for us to

weigh, as DiSomma would have us, "competing inferences and

explanations" about which explanation is more likely. United States v.

Stanley,928 F.2d 575, 577 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___, 112

S.Ct. 141, 116 L.Ed.2d 108 (1991). We cannot reverse a conviction

merely because the defendant's exculpatory account is plausible.

Rather, we must affirm so long as, drawing all inferences in the

government's favor, a reasonable jury might fairly have found DiSomma

guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. See United States v. Buck,804 F.2d

239, 242 (2d Cir.1986). The evidence here was sufficient.

First, we have already rejected Skowronski's challenge as to the

sufficiency of the evidence as to the Telco conspiracy. Skowronski,

968 F.2d at 247-48. We therefore obviously reject DiSomma's first

contention that the evidence will not support the finding of

conspiracy; at the very least, Skowronski and Tinnirello could be

found to have actively conspired to rob the store.

Second, DiSomma's challenge to the evidence of his involvement is

similarly unsuccessful. After establishing the existence of the Telco

scheme, the government presented evidence that DiSomma: set up a

meeting with Skowronski and Tinnirello to talk about the plan, warned

Tinnirello not to visit the store without first warning Skowronski,

and made incriminating phone calls to Tinnirello upon learning of the

FBI's visit to Skowronski. This evidence was more than sufficient to

allow the jury to conclude that DiSomma was one of the "two [other]

guys" with whom Tinnirello and Skowronski were conspiring to rob the

store.

Joseph Disomma started working at St. Francis Prep as Assistant to the Treasurer. He was promoted to Controller after Br. Ralph died. 

A few months after I launched my website, some posts went up about Joey Diamonds. Someone named Michelle DeRosalito reported those Burns to us and told us to take them down because they "linked" his real life cases to his job. Someone also visited my web designer at his job and "asked" him to make sure those Burns about Joey Diamonds came down. This person said they did not care about any of the other posts about the school, just those posts. I was concerned about the safety my young son, so they came down. 

I believe that rehabilitation is possible, and I believe in redemption, but I don't think putting someone who was convicted of conspiring to commit robbery (while possessing a firearm) in charge of the finances at the country's largest Catholic High School is the wisest decision.

 Do you?
   

A Former Member of the Clergy Who Knows Brother Ben Sent These Letters...And More From Angel Amore

We published excerpts from these emails in October in another venue, and I also wrote a version of the following blog at that time that did not include the Angel Amore tidbits. I didn't publish it, but today I thought what the heck and I added the Angel Amore stuff. The letters were sent several months ago by a former member of the clergy who lived in close quarters with Br. Ben. We deleted a few words to protect his identity, at his request.

I just wanted to say how much I admire Felicia!!  She's the only one in almost 30 years to put an end to Ben's nonsense!!

But.....if you think HE'S at all affected, you're mistaken.  He's still there (in the Friary) telling anyone who'll listen how WONDERFUL he is.  He's a smarmy, horrid, EVIL little man.  Felicia described him to a "T"....!!

Isn't it amazing that he went from "he wants to give her pleasure" to "she's a crazy girl with a vendetta against men" ?  (!!!)

He's a grown man!!  HE should know right from wrong.  The reason he got away with his nonsense all these years is that he gave out good grades

.....you didn't have to do much.... just "worship" him!!!

I left the Prep in the early _0's because I couldn't take him anymore.....best thing I ever did !!

Among his own confreres he's known as "Benjafu*k" !!!

Anyway, good luck...  I feel bad.  SFP  was  a nice place.  Once HE moved in we had to start locking doors.

And his CONSTANT self adulation was too much.   He was also very willing to tear people down just to make himself look taller.

Then this person sent this directly to Felicia:

Hey Felicia....

I just wanted to congratulate you and  thank you for being so brave!!!  It's about time someone blew the whistle on that little weasel!!    He was a terrible teacher who did nothing.  He got away with it for so long because he gave out the grades....so the students just learned to put up with it.

I believe every word you said, because I actually LIVED with him.  He is a terrible person.  It's just his style to badmouth someone who's a threat to him or BULLY someone into submission.  Good for you for standing up to him.  Unfortunately, with his personality, he STILL thinks  he's God's gift to the world.   By the way, he's about the ONLY ONE who thinks that way.

I wish you the best of luck. NO ONE should have to put up with that.  I put the blame on HIM..... an administrator or someone in authority SHOULDN'T HAVE to tell a 62 year old BROTHER what's proper and improper.

He tells everyone that he's just fine..... they just found him to be "NAIVE" ....  I agree .... he was naive to  think he could get away with it forever.

"Creepy"  is a great description of him.  I'm so sorry you had to go through it.  You were NOT the only one.  Like I said , people didn't come forward because  they were getting the grades .....it was too bad  it lasted that long.

Just know that YOU did nothing wrong!!   He thinks he can do anything he wants.   It's about time someone called him on it.

Then he sent this to her:

Yes.... he's  still living there .....and he's  STILL telling people how wonderful he is.

I am ________________... Ben was PART of the reason I left.   I used to be proud to be a ___________.... being associated with him  was awful!!!   I agree, he should have been put out long ago.  He was  "nice guy" because he gave out grades for very little work....all you had to do  was "worship" him.  I thought that he would have been put out long ago.... but I thought it would be because of the fact that he was a terrible teacher....  he wasn't above giving out the questions  / answers to the final exams.  I knew he had a weird

attraction to the girls.....but to be honest I just thought it was "over compensation".

I just know that I couldn't go on living there.....it was HELL on earth!!

And what was with all those SONGS????     It just seemed so dumb to me.

And then this:

Unfortunately, Ben is only interested in ONE THING:    BEN!!!   He is , and always has been a self absorbed, selfish little man.  Years ago he was ENCOURAGED to live somewhere else, but he refused.

You have to understand - BEN IS NEVER WRONG!!!   As for his being naive..... that's just nonsense!!  I don't doubt your account as to what transpired when you reported him, but I still blame HIM!!!  But I agree that something should have happened IMMEDIATELY after you reported it.  "That's just the way he is and wasn't it funny" just doesn't cut if for me.

He knew early on that he was way out of his league at SFP....at the time it was an ACADEMIC institution....we took education seriously.   He tried to go back to Bishop Ford, his former school....but they WOULDN'T take him back (does that tell you something?)

I have to tell you I feel very bad for all that is happening, but I do understand it....SFP is a SCHOOL....not a PLAYGROUND for teachers / brothers who NEVER grew up!!!

EVERYTHING you said about Ben rings true....I have no doubt that all the rest is true  also, and that's  tragic.  As far as I'm concerned, THAT MAN has contributed in great part to the downfall of a once great institution.

And finally this:

You've been through enough.  And , as I've said before, with all of this going on, BEN is on his merry way, without a care in the world.  The SHAME won't be cast on HIM.  I find this disgusting.  I don't know how many people he's led AWAY from the Church!!

You've seen his "MO" first hand....he'll get other students to do his dirty work, spreading whatever lies he can to protect himself.  And his  "humble friar" routine is sickening.

I just hope that eventually you can get past this.  HE'S in a lot worse shape than you are!!  He will NEVER admit that he's anything less than perfect.  The fact that at one time he wanted to devote his life to give you pleasure and NOW he wants to see you destroyed should tell you something about his character.

I just want you to know that if there is EVER a trial (and I hope there IS!),  I plan to be there.  And I think you can guess on which side I'll be sitting.

Now, some more of what Angel Amore told me:

And then a few pages later:

I know what you're thinking. Yes, I agree, it's all so nuts. But I said it before and I will say it again: Without Angel, I never would have been able to connect so many dots. Many people are grateful that I did.

A Letter From Felicia Mooradian

Felicia asked to use this blog to thank her supporters and we are very happy to accommodate:

I want to begin by thanking, with all my heart, the alumni, current students, and the current/former teachers who have stood by me since I went public. I have received countless messages of support from people all over the world. Due to the circumstances, I've had to shut my Facebook down for a while, but your kind words have been passed along to me by friends. I read your messages over and over when the going gets tough and I find the strength to carry on this battle- if not for myself, for other victims who have been afraid to speak up.

It took me a while to come to the decision to reveal my identity. I was afraid of a backlash like the one I endured when I was a freshman. What finally galvanized me into going public was a message from a current teacher. This teacher witnessed certain administrators bragging about having Jane Doe “over a barrel.”  To have someone over a barrel is to have that person at your mercy- it is a degrading, disrespectful expression, and is particularly arrogant when being used to describe a young woman who was sexually harassed as a child at your school. These administrators were capitalizing on what they perceived was my weakness- my hesitancy to use my name- by threatening to publicize me. I can only speculate that their intent in threatening to disclose my identity was intimidation, as there was no legal benefit to doing so. In retrospect, I appreciate their actions, because going public has been rewarding and cathartic. I feel as though I have been liberated of a dark burden; I am not ashamed anymore.

What has been in the media regarding my case is only a fraction of my entire story, as there is a limit on what can be run by newspapers and television. I hope to elucidate some details for you in this letter. For what it’s worth, everything I have stated is 100% true. I will swear on a stack of bibles and everyone I love that every piece of information I have shared regarding my case is factual; I will go to my grave knowing I have spoken the God’s honest truth.

When I was a freshman at St. Francis Prep, I was sexually harassed by Brother Ben, as were several of my peers. It never should've happened. The final straw came when I was alone with Ben in his classroom. He took my hands in his, looked into my eyes and said, “You know, Felicia, my goal in life is to give you pleasure.” When I reported Ben, I also reported another teacher who was engaging in highly disturbing activities with my classmate. It was my classmate’s victimization that prompted me to report it all at once. I knew something had to be done. I was told by the administrator I reported Ben to that my word wasn't sufficient, and so I returned to his office with many other girls who had been harassed. Imagine my terror when I found out that in spite of numerous first-hand accounts of Ben’s inappropriate behavior, not only was nothing being done, but my anonymity had been tossed aside. Ben was told I had reported him and he made a show of it.

At the time I reported him, I was informed that Ben didn't deny what he did. He explained that his flirtation with girls was his way of "connecting" with them. If it hadn’t been for my parents pleading with a certain administrator to discipline Ben, nothing would've changed. Prior to their meeting in person, this administrator hung up on my distraught father, and my mother, who was in the first trimester of a high-risk pregnancy, had to call back and beg this administrator to think of his own child being harassed. My parents came to the school, where they had a meeting with several administrators. One of these administrators admitted to my parents that Ben had been reprimanded before for asking girls to do splits in their skirts for extra credit. It has been brought to my attention that there is a RateMyTeacher post, still on the website, regarding those incidents dating back to 2004. When Ben was finally evaluated by a professional, he was rightfully found unfit to work with children. This was reported to my parents.

Following his evaluation, Ben was removed from the classroom. He was, however, given the choice to change residences or remain living at St. Francis Prep. He chose the latter. Soon after he was removed from teaching, Ben made a trip to his former classroom, where he told several of my peers that I was a crazy lunatic with a vendetta against men. Some students in the school, who did not know any better at the time, bullied me because Ben had been terminated. It escalated to the point of death threats, and I spent a lot of time in the school chapel, praying for a respite. In time, the bullying abated, but until the day I graduated, I never shook the notoriety that followed me throughout my four years at St. Francis Prep.

I hope that by breaking down these events, I have clarified some things for those of you with questions. I have been asked a lot about a possible protest during Open House. I do not know who is organizing this. If any of you plan to attend, I ask that you please protest peacefully. Please convey the message without violence or objectionable behavior. It is admirable to stand united for a just cause, as long as it is done the right way.

I will keep you updated on new developments as they occur.

Again, thank you for standing by me. It means more to me than I can adequately express in a letter. Every part of my story is true, and I am most grateful that you believe me.

Sincerely,

Felicia

The protest is at noon across the street from St. Francis Prep this Saturday, Oct. 19th, during their Open House. There will be a rally party immediately after so that the community can continue to discuss important issues. Contact Time4ChangeSFP@gmail.com for more details.

Kevin Mulhearn Represents 19 Yeshiva University High School Plaintiffs in $380,000,000 Lawsuit, In Addition to St. Francis Prep Plaintiffs

This article was in the NY Daily News a couple of days ago about the disgusting sexual abuse at Yeshiva University High School for boys:

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/yeshiva-university-high-school-students-file-380-million-sex-abuse-lawsuit-article-1.1393327

Kevin Mulhearn currently represents 19 plaintiffs who have filed against Yeshiva University. The school's Chancellor also resigned.

Kevin Mulhearn has stated that in the coming weeks he believes he will be filing several more lawsuits against St. Francis Prep. What is interesting is that like the Yeshiva cases, it appears that several of the sexual abusers/harassers he has received calls about are still alive. But unlike the Yeshiva cases, most of the abusers are not hiding out in Israel. They are still in the U.S., some a few states away, some only a few miles from the school, and some living in the school.  

It is going to be very interesting. We will keep you posted and you will see the amended complaint here, when it is officially filed.

St. Francis Prep, People Know the Truth

We received the letter below on our hell@burnandrotinhell.com email address from a St. Francis Prep alumnus. We just want to say two things. Thank you to the man who wrote it, and that if you want to expose scandal or corruption, please use our website. Burnandrotinhell.com is going in that direction and we will help you any way we can.

Hello

I am just becoming aware of your website\blog....my eyes have been glued to it. A friend of mine made me aware of the article in the DN today. So many memories surfacing... I was at Prep in the 90s...I often tell people the stories of what went on there, often in the comparisons of Catholic School vs Public School. How my Catholic School was by far worse than most public schools. Sex in the school, woods.....every drug known to man, kiddie touchers....kid\teacher relationships.....you name it, all there.

I'm taking a break from your site....baffled, not really sure I know how I feel.

So many of the people you've listed here...I've had my own experiences with, nothing that would warrant a legal action...but experiences none the less. I was on the football team, acted the part then, very vocal...most in the administration would say I was a troublemaker then. I was sent home for an at home suspension for conduct the school did not find appropriate. How ironic....though, I remember thinking then, I had no voice, no power....yes, I did wrong, but I knew then a lot of the nonsense that went on and I knew they were all Hippocrates to judge me. My own defiance as a kid I guess...I was aware enough to know, they had no moral standing over me.

Stenger was a perv, yes...if you went to prep with him around...you knew that. By the time I was around he was old and quiet, we used to make fun of him openly to his face. Bro Ben....another character, what amazes me is how open this all was back then. Won't lie...we, young boys, all thought it was funny then. Now grown...with Children of my own, its a new paradigm...I'm sure there were children, less emotionally stronger than I who were victimized. I am feeling a sense of guilt, I guess.

There is a Brother not mentioned yet, Brother Domenic...he was another one. I used to say if there was ever to be a scandal, it would most definitely involved him. I had a personal encounter with him where he once told me I was muscular...I made it clear to him that he should never touch me again. He was never the same to me afterwards....kept his distance while being friendly with other football players. Little did he know that then, we were all mocking him...we knew what he was about. We were that kind of crowd....All of these characters were always the butt of our jokes. There are parts of me that think these guys, hiding in their robes or suits actually thought they were being suave with us. Little did they know...

I did have good memories at that school, I have to say....there were good people there, some good teachers. Not all of them were like what is being portrayed. I would love to hear what they have to say.

I guess I wanted to write you and thank you for what you've done here....you should be proud. It sounds like you're getting some anonymous hate mail...well, here is a anonymous thank you mail. You're somewhat inspiring me...

This St. Francis Prep Sexual Abuse Survivor Wants You to Know His Story

As a result of the recent Daily News article about the lawsuits against St. Francis Prep, This St. Francis Prep sexual abuse survivor contacted attorney Kevin Mulhearn and he wants you to know his story. He also has this message:

TESTIMONIAL:

I am a sexual abuse survivor.

 

For personal reasons, I will remain anonymous for now.  I graduated Saint Francis Prep in 1985, one year prior to Mark Evangelista. I along with several other boys were taken on dozens of weekend trips (in a school van) by a Franciscan brother, Brother Joseph Mussa.  These trips were to see professional hockey games in places like Boston, Philadelphia and Hartford. It was this brother and 4 of us boys. Common sense would have the hotel rooms having two double beds for us boys and a rollaway cot for him. He never allowed that, it was one of the boys on the floor and one of the boys in a bed with him. Wrestling in underwear lead to nighttime genital fondling until after about a year I was able to find the strength to break away from the group. I told St. Francis Prep's Principal, Brother Richard McCann, and Brother Joe was transferred to a school in Brooklyn where I believe he taught for a number of years.

 

I buried these horrific memories for over 15 years. Like so many victims I drank excessively and made poor decisions that led to a 3 year prison term in 2001. It was in prison where a therapist confronted me and stated that it was her opinion I had been sexually abused, it was like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders as I was not ashamed for the first time in my life and was able to finally talk about it. Upon my release I felt empowered and immediately scheduled a meeting with the Superior General of the Franciscan Brothers at their headquarters in Brooklyn, NY. I thought I would be met with doubt and skepticism. I told the Superior General that I would take a lie detector test and would demand this brother take one as well. I guaranteed I would pass and he would fail and that if that was not the case I would leave his office and he would never hear from me again. I could only imagine he knew my claims were legitimate because he said a lie detector test would not be necessary and that he wanted to help me. He encouraged me not to go public due to public scrutiny to my family but that I should continue my therapy. He gave me thousands of dollars on two different occasions, checks in which I have copies of. Brother Joe also gave me thousands of dollars.

 

I am interested in finding out if anyone else was abused by Brother Joe, either before or after I reported him to St. Francis Prep.   It concerns me a great deal that by not responding to my allegations appropriately, St. Francis Prep may have permitted this man to go free and sexually assault other innocent children.  I also wonder whether any persons reported Brother Joe to St. Francis Prep administrators before I was assaulted by him.  I wonder whether all the pain I have suffered from could have been avoided if St. Francis Prep officials had been more caring and compassionate to the needs of children like myself.

To all victims of sexual abuse out there, let me say "hang in there, it will get better."  So stay strong.

Abuse and Defamation Lawsuits Filed Against St. Francis Prep in Federal Court Yesterday

Update: June 16, 2013: As of Friday, as a result of the Daily News Article below, and this blog, there are now five abuse victims seeking legal action against St. Francis Prep in addition to the two former student plaintiffs in the original complaint. That makes seven so far. All seven are different harassers/abusers. We encourage you to come forward if you were hurt as a student at St. Francis Prep! Please read below.

Finally, the first round of lawsuits have been filed against St. Francis Prep for multiple causes of action. If you would like to read the complaint, you will find it here:

Federal Complaint Against St. Francis Prep

To read today's Daily News Article, click here:
Sports Investigative Team Article

It is disturbing, and sad, and hard to digest. It would have been easier if Prep had just done the right thing from the beginning years ago. But all we can do is move forward, and seek justice for people who have been hurt.

Attorney Kevin Mulhearn is already working on the second round of lawsuits, including a plaintiff who had several surgeries as a result of abuse she suffered at St. Francis Prep.

If you feel that you have been injured in any way by St. Francis Prep, we encourage you to contact us at our website email, hell@burnandrotinhell.com, or call Kevin Mulhearn's office at (845)398-2346.

Thank you.