Father Michael V. LaMountain

Michael V. LaMountain Catholic Priest Diocese of Providence

Ordained: 1976

Status: Guilty Plea / Laicized

Deceased: 2010

Assignment History

1972-1976: Seminarian (Baltimore, MD)
1974-1976: Most Precious Blood Church (Baltimore, MD)
1976-1983: St. Kevin Church (Warwick, RI)
1983-1986: St. Joseph Church (Woonsocket, RI)
1986-1995: St. John the Baptist Church (West Warwick, RI)
1995: Suspended
1999: Pleaded guilty to child sexual abuse charges
2005: Laicized

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father Michael V. LaMountain

Father Michael V. LaMountain was ordained a priest in 1976 and served in the Diocese of Providence in Rhode Island for nearly two decades. He is one of several Catholic clergy members connected to Rhode Island clergy sexual abuse lawsuits involving the Diocese of Providence.

According to the Diocese of Providence list of credibly accused clergy, LaMountain has been identified as credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor. He served at several Rhode Island parishes, including St. Kevin Church in Warwick, St. Joseph Church in Woonsocket, and St. John the Baptist Church in West Warwick.

According to BishopAccountability.org, LaMountain was suspended in March 1995 after two men came forward alleging that he sexually abused them when they were boys. He later pleaded guilty to multiple child sexual abuse charges and was sentenced in 1999. LaMountain died on August 25, 2010.

Criminal Case Against Father Michael V. LaMountain

According to BishopAccountability.org, LaMountain was indicted in October 1997 on criminal charges involving the sexual abuse of five boys, some as young as age 10, between the 1970s and 1990s.

In January 1999, LaMountain pleaded guilty to nine counts related to the sexual assault of five boys. According to BishopAccountability.org, the charges included first-degree sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault, and second-degree child molestation.

LaMountain was sentenced to nine 12-year suspended sentences, to run concurrently. He was also required to register as a sex offender.

Allegations Against Father Michael V. LaMountain in Rhode Island

According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report, LaMountain was accused of sexually abusing at least 12 boys and young men during his priestly career, beginning during his seminary years and continuing through the 1990s.

The alleged abuse reportedly occurred primarily at LaMountain’s Spring Lake cottage in Burrillville and at the rectory of St. John the Baptist Church in West Warwick.

According to BishopAccountability.org, the Diocese of Providence had known for years that LaMountain had sexually abused children before his suspension in 1995. The suspension reportedly came after Bishop Louis Gelineau learned that victims had spoken with police.

Diocese of Providence Records Concerning Father Michael V. LaMountain

According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report, a supervisor expressed concern before LaMountain’s ordination in 1976 that LaMountain should not be so close to youths.

In 1984, LaMountain reportedly wrote apology letters to some of his victims and stated that he was receiving professional help.

According to BishopAccountability.org, LaMountain was sent for evaluation at the Sexual Disorders Clinic at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore in October 1989. The evaluation reportedly recommended that LaMountain avoid unsupervised contact with adolescent males.

Despite these concerns, LaMountain remained in ministry until he was suspended in 1995.

Civil Lawsuits and Settlement Involving Father Michael V. LaMountain

At least two civil lawsuits were filed against LaMountain and the Diocese of Providence in December 1995.

According to BishopAccountability.org, claims involving LaMountain were later settled in September 2002 as part of a $13.5 million settlement involving 36 victims and the Diocese of Providence.

Additional Allegations Against Father Michael V. LaMountain in Baltimore

LaMountain was also accused of sexually abusing a boy in Baltimore while he was a seminarian.

According to BishopAccountability.org, in 2001, a man reported that LaMountain sexually abused him between 1972 and 1974, beginning when the boy was in seventh or eighth grade. The alleged abuse reportedly occurred while LaMountain was connected to Most Precious Blood Church in Baltimore and St. Mary’s Seminary.

The victim reportedly told police about the abuse in 1993, but LaMountain was not charged.

According to BishopAccountability.org, LaMountain was included on the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s list of accused clergy in 2002. He was also included in the Maryland Attorney General’s 2023 report on child sexual abuse in the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

LaMountain was included on the Diocese of Providence list of clergy who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor in 2019. He was also included on the Rhode Island Attorney General's list of credibly accused clergy in Appendix A of the Attorney General’s 2026 report on child sexual abuse in the Diocese of Providence.

Frequently Asked Questions About Father Michael V. LaMountain

Can I sue for sexual abuse by a priest in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island’s new two-year revival window, beginning July 1, 2026, allows survivors of child sexual abuse to file claims that were previously blocked by the statute of limitations. You can bring a claim during this two-year window regardless of how long ago the abuse occurred. Because there is a deadline to file your claim, survivors should speak with an attorney as soon as possible.

How long do I have to sue for sexual abuse in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island’s new law creates a two-year window for certain older child sexual abuse claims beginning July 1, 2026. Claims must be filed by June 30, 2028. Survivors should not wait, because it may be necessary to gather relevant documents, investigate the claim, and determine the appropriate parties to sue.

Can the Diocese of Providence be sued for my sexual abuse by a priest?

Possibly. Survivors may have claims against the Diocese of Providence or another Catholic institution, including parishes and schools, if there is evidence that the institution knew or should have known about the risk of abuse and failed to protect children. Horowitz Law attorneys can review the facts of your case and explain your legal options.

Was Father Michael V. LaMountain listed as credibly accused by the Diocese of Providence?

Yes. Father Michael V. LaMountain was included on the Diocese of Providence list of clergy who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor in 2019. He was also included on the Rhode Island Attorney General’s list of credibly accused clergy in Appendix A of the Attorney General’s 2026 report on child sexual abuse in the Diocese of Providence.

Rhode Island Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

Rhode Island’s new law creates a two-year revival window, beginning July 1, 2026, for certain older child sexual abuse claims. Horowitz Law is bringing these lawsuits in Rhode Island and has collected evidence of the Diocese of Providence’s negligence. The revival window allows survivors of clergy sexual abuse to pursue claims that were previously blocked by the statute of limitations. Filing deadlines will apply, so survivors should speak with an attorney as soon as possible.

Horowitz Law Is Here to Help

Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy connected to the Diocese of Providence in Rhode Island. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest or clergy member in Rhode Island, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by a priest or clergy member in Rhode Island may have legal options due to Rhode Island’s new two-year revival window for certain child sexual abuse claims, but filing deadlines will apply, so do not delay in reaching out to us.

Father Michael V. LaMountain – Diocese of Providence