Fr. Salvatore “Sam” Isgro
Archdiocese of New Orleans
Ordained: 1962
Died: 1990
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father Salvatore Isgro:
Father Salvatore Isgro, also referred to as “Sam” was an order priest who worked for the Salesians of Don Bosco, while being assigned in the Archdiocese of New Orleans area. In December of 2018, a lawsuit came out that accused Salvatore Isgro of raping a 17-year-old boy after rendering him disoriented, possibly with chloroform in 1979. Allegedly, Father Sam twice placed a small vial filled with what smelled like ammonia under the boy’s nose, making him feel dizzy and disoriented. After the assault, the priest ordered the teen to get dressed and to sit in a warm bath after he got home, according to the lawsuit.
The victim said he met Salvatore Isgro at a hospital where he was working to earn money for a class ring. He said that he had informed Bishop Aymond in September of 2018, who claimed that he believed him and would put him in touch with a Salesian official, Father Stephen Ryan. Ryan and his attorney allegedly told the man “to keep the entire issue quiet” and had the victim sign an agreement for psychiatric treatment, which they would fund.
Salvatore Isgro died in 1990.
In April of 2020, the Archdiocese of New Orleans filed for bankruptcy protection. As part of its bankruptcy, the Archdiocese of New Orleans 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.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims of sexual abuse in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. The Archdiocese of New Orleans filed for federal bankruptcy protection in April 2020. Our lawyers are now offering free legal consultations to discuss your legal options as a survivor of sexual abuse by priests and other employees of the New Orleans Archdiocese. Very strict filing deadlines will soon be set by the Bankruptcy Court. Most victims of abuse will never be able to recover damages if they miss this deadline, so please contact us to discuss your case today. Call us at 888-283-9922 or send an e-mail to [email protected]