Columnist: Charlie Specht
Feds Charge Buffalo Priest With Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials
My reaction to the breaking news on Wednesday of the federal charges against Diocese of Buffalo priest Jeffrey Nowak was simple. “Holy shit!” I texted a former colleague. “Finally, someone ...
Luxury Cars, Gucci Handbags and European Vacations: Feds Say Priest Lived ‘Lavish Lifestyle’ With Funds From Greek Orthodox Church
When I broke the story in June 2025 that the Rev. Dr. Christos Christakis was fired as priest of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Buffalo after he was accused of ...
Child Sex Abuse in Buffalo Diocese Occurred in 2015, Survivor Says
The mishandling of sexual misconduct allegations against Fr. Robert Yetter is one of the things that brought down former Bishop Richard J. Malone in 2019. Joe Cercone was silently watching ...
Buffalo News Man Shares Personal Story of Sexual Abuse
As we continue to follow the fallout of the crisis in the Buffalo Catholic Diocese, we find ourselves in the unusual position of telling the story of one of our ...
After Years of Scandal, Buffalo’s Christ the King Seminary will “Cease Operations”
Christ the King Seminary, which has produced priests for the Diocese of Buffalo for more than a century, will "cease operations" at the end of the school year amid allegations ...
WATCH: Bishop Malone Ducks Reporters and Laity on Return from Rome
Bishop Richard J. Malone on Sunday flew back from the Vatican, where he met with Pope Francis and where rumors swirled about his possible resignation. But the embattled bishop, whose ...
WATCH: Is the Diocese of Buffalo Hiding Money Ahead of Bankruptcy?
The 7 Eyewitness News I-Team has obtained a secret document that is raising questions about whether the Diocese of Buffalo is hiding or diverting money in anticipation of abuse lawsuits ...
Where are all the “Good Priests” in the Diocese of Buffalo?
'Stand up and do something,' Catholics say Where are all the “good priests” in the Diocese of Buffalo? And at a time of unprecedented crisis, why aren’t they speaking out ...
Bishop Malone: “This Could Be The End For Me As Bishop . . . It Could Force Me To Resign”
Secret recording shows Malone tried to cover-up claims of sexual harassment by a diocesan priest It’s the morning of Friday, Aug. 2, and Bishop Richard J. Malone hasn’t slept for ...
Survivors Criticize Bishop’s ‘Fort Malone’ Mansion
Sexual abuse survivors say Bishop Richard J. Malone is out of touch with the community. They cite a new 8-foot fence surrounding his mansion, which they have dubbed “Fort Malone” ...
Bishop Malone Accused Of ‘Cover-Up’ With Active Buffalo Diocese Priest
The mother of a seminarian wants to know why Bishop Richard J. Malone is allowing a Cheektowaga pastor to remain in ministry despite allegations of inappropriate contact with children, harassment ...
Buffalo Diocese Seminary Blamed for Sexual Culture Among Priests
When Father Joseph Gatto last month was added to the list of more than 100 priests in Buffalo who stand accused of sexual misconduct, many Catholics were stunned. Gatto won ...
Buffalo Seminary Cracks Down On Seminarian Whistleblowers
What happened to Bishop Malone's promise to be more transparent? A confidential investigative report obtained Friday by 7 Eyewitness News from Christ the King seminary confirms multiple seminarians came forward recently ...
Catholic University President Calls on Bishop Malone to Resign
The president of one of Western New York's leading Catholic universities is calling on Buffalo's bishop to resign. St. Bonaventure University President Dennis R. DePerro said Bishop Richard J. Malone ...
Buffalo’s Bishop Malone Reinstates Priest with History of Pornography Problems
Bishop Richard J. Malone on Thursday returned a priest to active ministry despite a history of pornography problems and a looming federal investigation that may involve the priest. Malone returned ...
$300 Million Lawsuit Filed Against Buffalo Diocese
A renowned Boston attorney is suing the Buffalo Diocese for $300 million on behalf of a Niagara County woman who said she was abused by a Franciscan priest in the ...
Bishop Malone Accused of Mishandling Sex Abuse in Maine
TAKE ACTION: Ask Bishop Malone to Resign At a news conference two weeks ago, Buffalo Bishop Richard J. Malone said he had a good record on dealing with sexually abusive ...
Bishop Malone Faces Tough Questions on Abuse Crisis
The diocese’s new spokeswoman crowded journalists at the podium and tried to prevent them from asking follow-up questions. Bishop Richard J. Malone’s staff monopolized the microphone for more than an ...
Bishop Malone Left Two More Accused Priests in Ministry Despite Allegations
Buffalo Bishop Richard J. Malone made a statement Friday during his interview with WBEN radio that is now being called into question. WBEN host David Bellavia asked the Bishop, “Are ...