Attorney for Sexual Abuse Victims of Father Frank Capellupo
Many victims of sexual abuse do not expect that a member of their church would be the one to abuse them. Unfortunately, courts in the State of New York are flooded with lawsuits against clergy members that abused children that were left in their care. If you or a family member was the victim of sexual abuse, you should consult with an experienced Brooklyn sexual abuse attorney immediately.
Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP is dedicated to providing victims of sexual abuse with the aggressive and unique legal representation they deserve to pursue compensation for their injuries. Our firm understands the difficulty of coming forward after being abused, and we are here for you every step of the way. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your claim, contact Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP at (718) 843-0300, or contact us online.
Sexual Abuse Crimes Alleged Against Father Capellupo
Father Frank Capellupo was ordained as a priest in 1975 in the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Brooklyn. Sexual abuse allegations concerning Father Capellupo did not arise until he worked at the church of Most Precious Blood. In the 1980s at Most Precious Blood, Father Capellupo was accused of inviting teenage boys to late-night parties that he hosted at the rectory of the church.
In 2000, Father Capellupo was then arrested for sodomizing a 14-year-old boy that was residing at the rectory of Our Lady of Lourdes where he worked. Following these charges, Father Capellupo was placed on leave by the Diocese of Brooklyn. However, after the sodomy charges were dropped, the Diocese of Brooklyn would wait until 2005 to release information stating some of the allegations against Father Capellupo were credible.
In 2010, Father Capellupo was accused of sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy over the course of two years when he worked as a vicar at Most Precious Blood. The victim further alleged that as he grew older, Father Capellupo replaced him with a younger boy that he could abuse.
If you were a victim of sexual abuse, you should consider contacting an experienced attorney to discuss your claim.
When to File a Lawsuit for Sexual Assault
If you were a victim of sexual assault at the hands of Father Capellupo, you should consider filing a lawsuit to recover compensation for your physical and emotional trauma. On February 14, 2019, the New York Child Victims Act (CVA) was signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo. The CVA substantially increased the statute of limitations for victims of sexual abuse. The statute of limitations determines the amount of time a plaintiff has to file a certain type of claim.
Prior to the passing of the CVA, victims of sexual assault in New York would typically have about one to five years to file suit against their abuser. This timeframe would run from the time the victim reached the age of 18. However, as many victims of sexual abuse have difficulty coming to terms with an incident or years of abuse, many would miss the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit. The CVA rectifies that issue by allowing victims of abuse to file a civil lawsuit against their abuser until they reach the age of 55.
Additionally, if the previous statute of limitations for a victim’s case had already expired by the time the CVA was passed, the victim is now granted a one-year window to file their claim. The one-year window began to run on August 14, 2019, six months after the law was passed. As a result, hundreds of cases concerning sexual abuse have been filed in New York courts. If you believe your case falls within this one-year window, you should speak with an experienced injury attorney as soon as possible.
Another obstacle the CVA eliminates is the inability to file a sexual abuse lawsuit because the abuser has already passed away. The CVA circumvents this problem by allowing victims to file a lawsuit against religious institutions and other organizations that failed to take action regarding the sexual abuse. For example, if you were abused by Father Capellupo while he worked at Most Precious Blood, the Diocese of Brooklyn may be held accountable for his illegal and repulsive actions.
If you wish to know more about how the CVA affects your potential claim, you should contact an experienced NYC attorney that can help you explore your legal options.
Work with an Experienced Sexual Assault Lawyer to Pursue Your Potential Lawsuit
If you or a family member was sexually abused by Father Frank Capellupo, contact an experienced NYC sexual assault lawyer today. At Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP, our injury lawyers possess over 30 years of combined legal experience that we are prepared to utilize that knowledge to guide you through your sexual abuse claim. To schedule a free case evaluation, contact Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP at (718) 843-0300.