Fr. Karl LeClaire, S.D.S.: Accused of Sexual Misconduct with a Minor

Fr. Karl LeClaire, S.D.S.

Father Karl LeClaire
Ordained: 1986
Assignments:
  • 1987-2001: Queen of Peace, Mesa, AZ (PHX)
  • 2002-2003: Salvatorian Provincial Residence, Milwaukee, WI (MIL)
  • 2004-2005: Salvatorian Provincial Residence; Richmond, VA (MIL)
  • 2006-2018: Milwaukee Salvatorian Provincial Offices (MIL)
  • 2019: Unknown

Fr. Karl LeClaire was ordained a Salvatorian priest. In a 2002 lawsuit, Fr. LeClaire was accused of allegedly sexually abusing a boy for seven years beginning when he was a minor in approximately 1993 at Queen of Peace in Mesa, Arizona. In 2003, Fr. LeClaire was arrested on multiple charges relating to child sexual abuse. During the trial, another survivor accused Fr. LeClaire of allegedly sexually abusing him when he was a minor in approximately 1999 at Queen of Peace in Mesa, Arizona. Fr. LeClaire was subsequently sentenced to one year in jail and three months’ probation. Fr. LeClaire was named on the Diocese of Phoenix’s “Names of priests of religious communities who have served in the Diocese of Phoenix and have been laicized and/or removed from ministry by their communities due to sexual misconduct with a minor.” Fr. LeClaire is currently believed to be living in Apache Junction, Arizona. His status as a priest and whether he has access to children are unknown.