Priest Guilty in ‘70s Abuse Case

A Roman Catholic priest was found guilty Wednesday of sexual misconduct with an 11-year-old boy more than 30 years ago, in a case that was filed under an exception to the statute of limitations.

A jury found Father Edward Olszewski guilty of four counts of indecent liberties with a minor child and not guilty of four counts of sodomy.

Olszewski’s accuser, Albert Green, testified that the misconduct took place in the early 1970s at St. Cecilia’s rectory. Green, now 44, and his two brothers had moved into the rectory after social workers placed the boys in Olszewski’s care because their mother was ill.

Green, who now lives in Washington state, testified that the molestation happened “at nighttime, when my brothers [went] to bed.”

A housekeeper at St. Cecilia’s testified that she didn’t witness any abuse.

Olszewski, who moved to Florida in the late 1970s, was forced to step down from his Key Largo, Fla., parish in the spring.

Olszewski maintained his innocence and said Green had been stalking him and asking him for help whenever he got into trouble with the law and with drugs.

At the time of the alleged crime, state law required charges to be brought within six years of an offense. However, prosecutors said they were able to charge Olszewski because he had left Michigan before the statute of limitations expired.

Defense attorney S. Allen Early said he would appeal.

Sentencing was set for Jan. 30. Olszewski faces up to 10 years in prison on each conviction.

At least 30 Catholic priests in Michigan have been removed, suspended or have left their duties since Jan. 1 amid sexual abuse or misconduct allegations. Some of the cases are under review. At least 17 of the cases involved minors.