Father Louis Gigante
Archdiocese of New York
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father Louis Gigante:
In July 2021, Fr. Louis Gigante was named in a lawsuit filed against the Archdiocese of New York. According to media reports, the Plaintiff in the suit alleges that he was sexually abused by Gigante at St. Athanasius parish in the Bronx. The sexual abuse is alleged to have taken place from 1976 to 1977 when the victim was 9 years old. According to the Complaint, the plaintiff alleges that he was forced to perform oral sex upon Gigante multiple times under the guise of bible study classes.
Gigante is now a retired priest of the Archdiocese of New York. In addition to his priesthood, Gigante became a New York City Councilmember and also formed SEBCO, an organization involved in the rehabilitation and construction of housing units in the South Bronx. He is also the younger brother of alleged Genovese crime boss Vincent Gigante.
The Archdiocese had no comment in response to the July 2021 lawsuit. Gigante's status as a priest of the Archdiocese is unknown. Typically, a priest would be put on suspension pending investigation but the New York Archdiocese has repeatedly shown no commitment to previous pledges of "zero tolerance of sexual abuse allegations," so it is possible that Gigante will continue to minister as a priest in good standing indefinitely.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Archdiocese of New York. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest or other Catholic clergy in New York State, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Archdiocese of New York now have legal options, but filing deadlines will apply so do not delay in reaching out to us. Our lawyers have decades of experience representing survivors of clergy sexual abuse in New York and nationwide. We can help.
Contact us at 888-283-9922 or adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com to discuss your options today.