"Fall From Grace" is an investigation of the Buffalo Catholic Diocese by 7 Eyewitness News I-Team Chief Investigator Charlie Specht.
Damning documents from a church whistleblower formed the basis of a three-part series on Bishop Richard J. Malone, which proved Malone returned an accused child abuser to ministry and recommended he work with children; allowed another accused priest to remain pastor of a wealthy parish; and deceived the faithful by hiding the "real" abuse list -- containing more than 100 priests -- from the public.
It was likely the largest breach of documents from the "secret archives" in the history of the American church -- and as a direct result of our reporting:
-- The State Legislature in January 2019 passed the Child Victims Act, which reformed New York’s archaic sexual abuse laws and expanded the statutes of limitation on child sex crimes.
-- The State Attorney General has launched a statewide investigation into clergy sex abuse.
-- The Federal Bureau of Investigation has launched a criminal investigation of the Buffalo Diocese and the U.S. Attorney is building a racketeering case against church leaders.
-- In December 2020, Bishop Malone became the first bishop in the 172-year history of the Diocese of Buffalo to resign.