New York Attorney General Letitia James, on behalf of the People of the State of New York, has filed a civil complaint against the Diocese of Buffalo, New York; Bishop Richard J. Malone; Bishop Edward M. Grosz, and Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger, Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Buffalo because:

  • The Diocese of Buffalo consistently violated New York nonprofit law.
  • The Diocese of Buffalo ignored standards established by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2002 to address and prevent the sexual abuse of minors.
  • The Diocese of Buffalo did not adequately investigate and formally review allegations against members of the Buffalo clergy.

Defendants former Bishop Richard J. Malone and former Auxiliary Bishop Edward M. Grosz consistently violated many provisions of the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law and Estates, Powers, and Trusts Law; and as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Buffalo, Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger must be held accountable for following all laws of the State of New York regarding non-profit faith institutions.
A press conference discussing the lawsuit filed by New York Attorney General Letitia James against the Diocese of Buffalo, NY; former Bishop Richard Malone; former Auxiliary Edward M. Grosz; and current Apostolic Administrator Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger for their negligent mismanagement of clergy sexual abuse cases in the Diocese of Buffalo for years.