Skip to content
Call Today: 888-283-9922
Horowitz Law Logo
  • About
    • Adam Horowitz
    • Jessica Arbour
    • Elana Goodman
    • Robin Kissin
    • DeeDee Scheller
    • Eric Cantor
    • Alexandra Slater
    • Attorney Referrals
    • Testimonials
  • Who We Sue For Sexual Assault
    • Churches & Other Religious Organizations
    • Massage Businesses
    • Doctors, Healthcare, & Hospitals
    • Schools & Universities
    • Boy Scouts of America
    • Cruise Ships & Yachts
    • Summer Camp
    • Cheer & Other Youth Sports
    • Sexual Assault By Uber & Lyft Drivers
  • Sexual Abuse Lawyers
    • Child Sexual Abuse
  • FAQ
  • Media Coverage
    • Reported Cases
  • Legal Blog
  • Search
Contact Us

Fr. David Brusky – Diocese of Santa Rosa

Home  >  Sexual Abuse Law Blog  >  Fr. David Brusky – Diocese of Santa Rosa

December 14, 2020 | By Horowitz Law
Fr. David Brusky – Diocese of Santa Rosa

Father David Brusky

Ordained: 1952

Suspended: 1988

Dead:  2014

Assignment History:

  • 1952-1954: Doctoral Studies (Rome, Italy)
  • 1956-1970: Missionary Priest (Tanzania, Africa)
  • 1970-1972: Leave of Absence from Priesthood
  • 1972-1973: Our Lady of Snows (Reno, NV)
  • 1974-1974: St. Teresa of Avila (Carson City, NV)
  • 1974-1975: St. Albert the Great (Reno, NV)
  • 1977-1977: Mother of Good Counsel (Milwaukee, WI)
  • 1982-1983: Sonoma State University (Sonoma, CA)
  • 1985-1987: Holy Cross Church (West Sacramento, CA)
  • 1989-1995: Salvatorian Foreign Missions (New Holstein, WI)
  • 1996-1997: Foreign Mission (Tanzania, Africa)

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father David Brusky:

Fr. David Brusky was ordained a priest in 1952, who served in multiple dioceses including in the Diocese of Santa Rosa. According to media reports, he was accused of the molestation and rape of at least six young girls from the ages of 10-13 in Reno, NV, in the 1960s and 70s. While not criminally charged, several anonymous reports of sexual misconduct with young females Fr. Brusky received . While he never admitted to any wrongdoings, Brusky reportedly stated to the Reno Gazette that he was sent to a treatment center for "sexaholics" in the late 1980s.

According to the Reno Gazette, one of Brusky's victims met Fr. Brusky at her baptism, and her life began to revolve around the church. He became very involved with her family, she recalled, "but soon weird things began to happen," she states.

Another one of Brusky's survivors claims she was molested and raped by Fr. Brusky in the 1970s at two Reno churches. She filed a claim in 1989 after undergoing therapy, but the charges were beyond the statute of limitations and were dropped. She didn't approach the Diocese of Reno about the abuse until 2001, after her younger sister told her for the first time that she had been molested by Brusky, as well. She received a $50,000 settlement from the Diocese of Reno but felt she was misled about the priest's condition and his access to other children. The bishop she spoke to told her the priest had suffered several strokes, was incapacitated, lived in a secured extended-care facility, and couldn't communicate. She stated the bishop said Brusky would never be sent to prison "because of his ill health and that his mind was gone."

A mother of several young women who claim the priest molested them called the facility where Brusky was living. He answered the phone and said he was doing well. Brusky told her that he had gone through rehab and was even able to drive. When asked about allegations made by another woman, who said Brusky molested her in an apple orchard when she was in 5th grade, and another woman who said he molested her in the rectory, Brusky said he could not recall those incidents. He said he remembered the girls but couldn't recall any molestations. He said his religious Order sent him to a treatment center for "sexaholics" in the 1980s, but he said he didn't believe he needed help.

The Diocese of Reno first learned of the claims against Brusky in 2001 from the Washoe District Attorney and contacted the woman and her lawyer. The diocese "extended an offer of counseling and spiritual or pastoral assistance" to the woman, and she did not hear from them again until March 2004.

Fr. David Brusky spent much of his adult life in Africa missions before moving into an assisted-living facility in Milwaukee following a stroke in 1997. Reports say he has no recollection of such claims and that he never heard of a settlement. He died in 2014 while in the facility at the age of 87. Fr. Brusky is listed on the Diocese of Santa Rosa's 2019 List of Clergy Credibly Accused of Sexual Abuse of a Minor, as well as the Diocese of Las Vegas and Sacramento's 2019 lists.

Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Santa Rosa in California.  If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in one of California's Catholic dioceses, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of Santa Rosa now have legal options due to a voluntary compensation fund created by the Diocese of Santa Rosa, 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 California and nationwide. We can help.

Contact us at 888-283-9922 or adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com to discuss your options today.



Safeguard Your Future with Professional Legal Support

"*" indicates required fields

First Name*
Last Name*
How Would You Like To Be Contacted?
Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
Disclaimer*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Related Blogs

  • How Can a Lawyer Help File a Sexual Abuse Claim Against Organizations?
  • Fr. Bernard Schmaltz – Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
  • Fr. Gerald Prinz – Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
  • Father Gerard Kinane – Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
  • How Do I File a Sexual Abuse Claim Against Clergy?
  • Fr. William Mannion, Jr. – Archdiocese of Baltimore
  • Health Department Issues Order Revoking Tommie James’ Massage Therapy License
  • Finding strength: Overcoming blame and embracing courage
  • Horowitz Law Client Sues Fontainebleau Hotel For Sexual Assault in Spa
  • What counts as a sexual assault during a massage?

Skilled Advocacy

Cycles Of Abuse And Fear Stop Here

The physical and emotional pain that stems from sexual abuse and assault can be devastating and have lasting, catastrophic effects on one’s life. If you or someone you love has been sexually assaulted or molested, contact a lawyer for sexual assault and child molestation victims today at 954-641-2100.

Meet Our Team

Contact Horowitz Law

While this website provides general information, it does not constitute legal advice. The best way to get guidance on your specific legal issue is to contact a lawyer. To schedule a meeting with an attorney, please call the firm or complete the intake form.

 

Cycles Of Abuse And Fear Stop Here

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
How Would You Like To Be Contacted?
Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
Disclaimer*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Fort Lauderdale, FL
110 E Broward Blvd, Suite 1530
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
954-641-2100
Horowitz Law Logo
  • About
  • Blog
  • Team
© 2025 Horowitz Law   Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Sitemap