The Independent Review Board (IRB) of the Diocese of Buffalo has completed its review of independent investigations into allegations brought against Reverend Joseph Gatto and Reverend Patrick O’Keefe and made its recommendations to Bishop Michael W. Fisher.

In the case of Rev. Gatto, he voluntarily removed himself from active ministry in March of this year and the IRB assigned Julie Ledwin, a retired detective who previously worked in the Sex Offense Squad of the City of Buffalo Police Department, to conduct a thorough investigation into allegations made by the mother of a teenager who died in 2017.  Following Ms. Ledwin’s investigation and reports, the IRB determined that any allegation that Rev. Gatto had an inappropriate relationship with the deceased or did anything to contribute to his death is unsubstantiated.  Rev. Gatto maintains the ability to carry out his priestly ministry.

In the case of Rev. O’Keefe, the allegations pertaining to inappropriate conduct toward adults were investigated by retired police detective Jacqueline Sullivan. Based on her report, the IRB determined that the allegations are substantiated and has recommended that Rev. O’Keefe not be allowed to resume active ministry at this time.

In the case of Reverend Jeffrey Nowak, the IRB did not initiate a separate investigation of its own but relied on the investigation of the U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, as well as the affidavit of FBI Special Agent Kelly Milliman, in its finding that the allegations are substantiated. The IRB further recommended that Rev. Nowak be removed from the “clerical state” in an expedited manner. Last month, Bishop Fisher instructed the Diocese’s Judicial Vicar to begin preparing the case for this purpose and for submission to the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Bishop Fisher has accepted the unanimous recommendations of the IRB in each of these three cases.