Detroit, Michigan – Sommers Schwartz, PC, a premier litigation firm based in Detroit, is investigating allegations of sexual misconduct by the late Father Timothy Desrochers, who began his service in various Michigan parishes as early as 1964.
Fr. Desrochers, a former pastor at St. John the Evangelist in Ishpeming, St. Mary in Sault Ste. Marie, and St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette, allegedly had a history of sexual misconduct dating back to 2003. His long-standing tenure also included a 25-year stint as the rector at Marygrove Retreat Center in Garden.
The first accusation against Father Timothy Desrochers arose in 2003 when a 22-year-old man alleged that the priest had hugged and massaged him during confession. Despite the weight of the allegation, Fr. Desrochers denied any wrongdoing when questioned by church authorities.
A more public scandal followed in 2007 when the Diocese received an email containing explicit images of the priest posted on a website catering to intergenerational relationships. Fr. Desrochers dismissed these images as insignificant, but the investigation led to him being barred from performing any priestly services.
Further controversy enveloped Fr. Desrochers when a 2011 letter from the Schoolcraft County Sheriff’s Department indicated that he was engaged in a sexual relationship with an inmate. This claim was substantiated by phone conversations between the priest and the inmate, discussing explicit sexual activities.
Despite these numerous instances of misconduct and his ministerial authority being revoked in 2007, Fr. Desrochers remained a priest until his passing in 2020.
At Sommers Schwartz, attorneys Lisa Esser-Weidenfeller, Matthew Curtis, and Jay Yasso are tackling this legacy of abuse and seeking justice for survivors. Their previous successful investigations include high-profile cases against Dr. Larry Nassar, the Michigan State University and USAG team physician, and Dr. Robert Anderson, a University of Michigan physician accused of sexually abusing students, athletes, and other patients for over thirty-five years.
CASE INFORMATION
DIOCESE OF MARQUETTE INVESTIGATION
Dana Nessel – Michigan Attorney General
Report Released October 27, 2022
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