Monsignor Edward Melton
Ordained: 1954
Died: 1994
Summary of Abuse Allegations Against Monsignor Edward Melton:
According to media reports, in February 2019, two women alleged that Monsignor Edward Melton of the Diocese of Rockville Centre had sexually abused them when they were children and students at St. Agnes Cathedral during the 1960s and 1970s. Monsignor John McGann (who later became bishop), and Father Robert L. Brown were also accused.
One of the survivors said she was abused by Monsignor Melton for four years. The other woman said she was also abused by John Hanlon, the parish janitor. Both women claimed that in one incident in 1967, when they were 11 years old, they were fondled when passed around the laps of the priests in the rectory at a Christmas party.
Melton died in 1994.
In October 2019, the two women and the brother of one of them filed a lawsuit under the NY Child Victims Act, alleging child sexual abuse by Monsignor Melton. A spokesman for the Diocese of Rockville Centre said the allegations were reported to law enforcement in February 2019 when they first surfaced. It said that they are cooperating with the district attorney and state attorney general.
"The Diocese of Rockville Centre is fully committed to the protection of minors, and undergoes an annual independent audit to evaluate compliance with required child protection practices," the statement said.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Rockville Centre in New York. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in New York, contact our office today. In October 2020, the Rockville Centre Diocese filed for federal bankruptcy protection. The Court will resolve all claims of sexual abuse in this process but strict filing deadlines will apply and no late claims will be considered, so contact us today. 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.