Survivors in southern NJ only have until June 30 to sue
Alleged perpetrators remain ‘under the radar’ in this area
WHAT: Today, at a virtual news conference, survivors, advocates, and attorneys from Jeff Anderson & Associates will:
- Disclose the names of ten alleged child-molesting clerics who are named in confidential claims brought by survivors and remain largely ‘under the radar’ in the Camden area.
- Urge child sex abuse victims to come forward and expose other predators immediately, before the June 30 bankruptcy claims deadline.
- Beg anyone with information or suspicions about the two living clerics to call law enforcement.
WHEN: Thursday, June 17, 2021 – 2:00 PM ET
WHO: New Jersey child sexual abuse victims (one from Camden, one from Newark) and experienced attorneys who represent hundreds of survivors abused by child-molesting clerics.
WHY: By June 30, 2021, victims of child-molesting Camden clerics must come forward to expose predators and file claims in the Diocese of Camden Bankruptcy Case.
In recent months, formal abuse reports have been filed involving dozens of current or former Camden area clerics. At least ten of the alleged abusers have attracted little or no public attention in the Philadelphia/Camden area. They are: Fr. Jerome Prisco, Fr. Joseph O’Connell, Fr. John O’Brien, Fr. Kenneth Johnston, Fr. Robert Smaldore, Fr. Leon Winowicz, Fr. Rocco Continillo, Fr. David Budney, Fr. Jesus Danilo Giraldo and Fr. Roger A. Sullivan. The latter two are presumed to be still alive.
Several of the accused priests died recently (Fr. Prisco 2017, Fr. Smaldore 2013, and Fr. Johnston 2018).
These alleged crimes took place in several southern New Jersey cities: Camden, Collingswood, Hammonton, Pennsauken, Waterford, Cherry Hill, Laurel Springs, and Carney’s Point, with the abuse spanning from the mid-1950s through the early 1980s.
In 2019, the Diocese of Camden released names of 56 credibly accused predator priests. None of the ten being exposed are on the Diocese of Camden list. Survivors and advocates believe the actual number of predators, after the bankruptcy process ends, will likely be two or three times higher.
Survivors can take legal action while protecting their privacy or their identities.
“It’s shameful that Camden’s bishop is exploiting bankruptcy laws to hide secrets, predators, and assets while forcing victims to meet a rigid, arbitrary deadline,” said attorney Jeff Anderson. “Still, some Camden area victims sorely need justice and compensation, so they can get help and expose molesters, but only if they step forward before June 30.”
Jeff Anderson & Associates now represents 49 victims in the Diocese of Camden.
ZOOM DETAILS: Please contact media@andersonadvocates.com to join the Zoom call.
LIVE STREAM: The press conference will also be live-streamed via Vimeo, Facebook, YouTube, and in the News section of our website.
MEDIA NOTE: Video files will be available for download following the conclusion of the event for use by broadcast and digital media. Submit requests to media@andersonadvocates.com.