Mr. Francis “Scotty” Allen II
Diocese of Harrisburg
Assigned as follows:
- 1974-1978 St. Patrick (York, PA)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Mr. Francis “Scotty” Allen II:
In February 2020, the Diocese of Harrisburg filed for bankruptcy protection. As part of its bankruptcy, the Diocese of Harrisburg will be reviewing and paying claims for anyone sexually abused by diocesan priests and lay employees. This will likely include claims filed on behalf of anyone whose case may be beyond the statute of limitations. Ahead of the grand jury report, the Diocese of Harrisburg released the names of 71 priests, seminarians and laypersons accused of sexually abusing children since 1941. This was from an updated list that the diocese released in August of 2018. After the report was released, the total was over 301 identified and accused priests in Pennsylvania alone.
One seminarian who was added to the list in 2018 was Francis Allen II (also referred to as “Scotty”). According to the list that the Diocese of Harrisburg provided, Allen was accused of the sexual abuse of children by two known survivors.
Per the diocese’s list, his case falls under the category where abuse was first alleged while the accused was living. He has since died as of October 2011.
According to online media reports published in August of 2018, Francis Allen II worked around St. Patrick Catholic Church in York and helped with altar boys from 1974 to 1978. In 1989, the Diocese of Harrisburg learned that one boy alleged Mr. Allen had sexually abused him in the 1970’s. The boy’s mother claimed that she had reported it to Monsignor Thomas Brenner, who “informed someone else.” That person’s name was redacted in the official grand jury report. She reported the abuse again in 2002. The victim alleged the sexual encounters had occurred on three occasions; once at St. Mary’s Seminary and twice in his own home.
Meanwhile, in 1994, a woman had also reported to the diocese that Allen molested her son from 1974 to 1975, when he was only 11-12. According to the boy, he remembered Allen would go to a park where young boys would skateboard and would photograph them. He also obtained permission from the boy’s parents to take him to St. Mary’s Seminary to stay overnight, according to the grand jury report. During the night, Allen would massage the boy and fondle his genitals. Documents from the diocese reveal that there were additional sexual encounters between them.
No further information has been released.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims of sexual abuse in the Diocese of Harrisburg and throughout Pennsylvania. The Diocese of Harrisburg filed for federal bankruptcy protection in February 2020. Anyone sexually abused by a priest or employee of the Diocese of Harrisburg may be entitled to file a claim against the Diocese in these bankruptcy proceedings, but very strict filing deadlines apply. Most victims of abuse in the Diocese of Harrisburg will never be able to take action against the Diocese of Harrisburg if they miss this bankruptcy filing deadline, so it is important that you contact us immediately to discuss your potential case.
Contact us at 888-283-9922 or [email protected] to discuss your legal options today.