State Assemblyman seeks centralized criminal inquiry after priest's arrest
Buffalo — A state assemblyman is pressing the New York State Police to take charge of a broad criminal investigation into the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, arguing that recent developments show local probes are insufficient for alleged child sexual abuse and possible concealment.
At a Wednesday press conference in his Buffalo office, Assemblyman Pat Burke said the July 8 FBI arrest of Father Jeffrey Nowak illustrated the need for an independent, statewide criminal inquiry that would coordinate federal, state and local efforts. Burke formally requested Major Amie Feroleto, commander of Troop A in Western New York, to assume that leadership role and act as the primary liaison with federal authorities.
"I believe we've reached a point in this community, certainly in Western New York, where the recent case of Fr. Nowak has shown that the severity and significance of child sexual abuse and child sexual predation in the Catholic Church, in the Buffalo Diocese has to be addressed criminally,"
Burke framed the request as a remedy to what he described as a fragmented response across municipalities. He urged the State Police to serve as an "umbrella" agency that would bring law enforcement agencies together to treat alleged misconduct as criminal activity rather than merely civil wrongdoing.
Context and historical concerns
Burke has a history of challenging diocesan leadership. He was the first elected official to call for Bishop Richard Malone's resignation in 2018, more than a year before Malone left office. At that time, Burke warned the public had only "scratched the surface of the problem." He said Wednesday he had hoped he was wrong then, but recent events have validated his earlier concerns.
The diocese has faced scrutiny for years over allegations that clergy were moved between assignments instead of being held accountable. Burke and others have argued that a patchwork of municipal investigations has allowed potential crimes to go incompletely examined.
Recent developments highlighted by Burke
- July 8 — FBI arrest of Father Jeffrey Nowak.
- 2019 — Bishop Malone publicly described Nowak as a "sick puppy," according to Burke's remarks.
- 2018 — Burke first publicly called for Bishop Malone's resignation amid the diocese's scandals.
Burke said Nowak remained on the diocesan payroll and lived in diocesan housing for periods of time before the arrest, details he used to underscore his argument that institutional practices permitted alleged predators to remain supported by the church.
What a State Police-led probe would mean
A centralized investigation by the New York State Police would change the structure of inquiries into the diocese. Burke wants the State Police to coordinate state and local investigations and handle communication between local law enforcement and federal agencies. He argued that a unified approach would prevent inconsistent outcomes and identify potential systemic concealment.
Such a move would not automatically replace federal or local actions but would augment them with a statewide investigative framework. It would also place Troop A at the center of a highly sensitive probe involving allegations of child sexual abuse and possible institutional wrongdoing.
Local implications and next steps
Burke's letter to Major Feroleto is a formal step that could prompt discussion within the State Police and among local prosecutors and federal officials about how best to proceed. The assemblyman's request raises immediate questions about jurisdiction, resources and how investigators would coordinate across municipal boundaries.
For Buffalo residents, the push for a centralized probe highlights enduring concerns about transparency, accountability and the protection of children. It also revives scrutiny of past diocesan practices and the pace at which alleged misconduct has been investigated.
| Item | Date |
|---|---|
| Burke first called for Malone's resignation | 2018 |
| Bishop Malone's comment about Nowak | 2019 |
| FBI arrest of Fr. Jeffrey Nowak | July 8 |
| Burke's request to Troop A commander | July 22 |
The State Police have not publicly announced whether they will accept Burke's request. Any decision will determine whether a statewide investigation moves forward and how allegations within the diocese will be handled going forward.
Until then, the request amplifies a call for accountability that has simmered in Buffalo for years — and it asks a state agency to take on a role many here say local systems have failed to fill.
