Mr. Kevin Labuda
Diocese of Harrisburg
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Mr. Kevin Labuda:
Kevin Labuda was reportedly a seminarian in the Diocese of Harrisburg for only two short weeks. His name was included on the diocese's 2018 list of credibly accused clergy members, and was accused by at least one person of sexual abuse of a child. The diocese did not release any information about the alleged abuse, including the age/gender of the victim, or the timeframe of the alleged misconduct.
In 2010, Labuda was convicted of beating a priest with an ax handle for whom he was working as a business manager in a Greensburg diocese parish. During the hearing, Labuda testified that he took a job at Immaculate Conception in 2008, after he had been let go from a seminary school in the Diocese of Harrisburg. According to media reports, Kevin Labuda claimed he was removed from the seminary due to serious head injuries that he had suffered in a motorcycle accident. He admitted that he beat the Rev. Joseph Bonafed, because he feared he would lose his job due to the church considering the elimination of Labuda's position. He was sentenced to 2-4 years in state prison.
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 the 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.
According to the diocese, Kevin Labuda is listed as still living. His current whereabouts since being released from prison is unknown.
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 adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com to discuss your legal options today.