Today’s TMJ4 (Wisconsin)
CREATED May. 24, 2011
KENOSHA – Father Michael Nowak is facing two charges of inappropriate use of a telephone.
The Catholic Priest is accused, and now charged with making sexually explicit phone calls to two teen girls from his parish at St. Therese of Lisieux in Kenosha.
According to a criminal complain, Nowak took a 17 year-old girl to a movie, then later called her and asked her out again. He said it would be a Valentine’s dinner.
In the court documents, the 17 year-old told police Nowak asked her to “wear a low cut shirt to show off your ‘cha-chas’.”
A 14 year-old girl told police Nowak called her and asked if he could perform oral sex on her.
Nowak pled not guilty, but more charges could be filed.
Racine county police say they are investigating a possible third victim.
Officers would not comment on the case because it is part of an on-going investigation.
Nowak is still on administrative leave at the church, but parishioners are waiting to pass judgment.
“It’s unfortunate what’s going on with the father. If it’s true, it’s a shame,” said parishioner Roger Montes.
Police are still investigation to see if there are more possible victims. Nowak was given a $100,000 signature bond, and is not to come within 500 feet of either alleged victims.
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Second Girl Accuses Priest of Inappropriate Comments
Today’s TMJ4 (Wisconsin)
CREATED May. 11, 2011
KENOSHA – Another teen girl, a 17 year-old, has come forward claiming that Father Mike Nowak has called her making sexual references.
“How do you think it makes me feel? Do you think I like that? My grandson goes to school there,” said a grandfather while picking up his grandson from school.
St Therese of Lisieux parish members are reacting to news that not one, but two teen girls say that the priest best known as Father Mike, is accused of making inappropriate sexual phone calls.
“I don’t think there was anything like that with my son. The rest of that, I’m not going to worry about until it comes out what actually happened,” said another parent.
According to Kenosha police, the first girl is younger than 16 and came forward on May 1, 2011. The next day, another teen says she received the same calls. While Father Michael Nowak hasn’t been charged, the police are suggesting two charges of inappropriate use of a phone.
“Detective Labotore firmly believed that through her investigation that both the charges are merited,” said Kenosha Police Sergeant James Heiring.
We tried to talk to Nowak, but no one would answer the door. Nowak has hired attorney Mark Richards from Racine, but he declined to comment. Nowak was ordained in 1997, and first worked at Christ King Church in Wauwatosa. Neither that church nor the diocese say there have been any allegations of wrong-doing by Nowak. These allegations only fire up members of SNAP, a support group for those abused by priests. They say the arch bishop isn’t taking these allegations serious enough.
“He has not shown up to these parishes, and has left it in the hand of a trustee to explain to people on Sunday, read a letter and tell people in the news media that he’s innocent,” said Peter Isely, of SNAP.
Father Nowak is the second priest in the Milwaukee Diocese this year to be put on administrative leave because of allegations of sexual misconduct.