As a result of its initial reporting, a source within the Buffalo diocese agreed to work with WKBW investigative reporter Charlie Specht and photojournalist Jeff Wick, providing the investigative team with evidence of a church cover-up.
WKBW, Scripps’ ABC affiliate in Buffalo, N.Y., earned recognition by Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) for its work to uncover child sexual abuse inside the Catholic Church in Western New York.
The IRE Awards are presented annually by the nonprofit organization to recognize the best in investigative reporting from print, broadcast and online media.
WKBW won for its 2018 investigative series, Fall from Grace: How Buffalo’s Bishop Hid Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo. Click here to see WKBW’s web page devoted to its coverage of this story.
As a result of its initial reporting, a source within the Buffalo diocese agreed to work with WKBW investigative reporter Charlie Specht and photojournalist Jeff Wick, providing the investigative team with evidence of a church cover-up.
The FBI launched a criminal investigation centered on the leadership of the diocese, and more victims have come forward to tell their stories exclusively to Specht.
“The persistent and careful storytelling of Charlie, Jeff and the WKBW I-team brought to light a story with difficult subject matter and tragic consequences for the children involved,” said Brian Lawlor, Scripps’ president of local media.
“We are proud of the team’s relentless pursuit of the truth and their commitment to holding the powerful accountable.”
The confidential whistleblower, Siobhan O’Connor, the former secretary to embattled Bishop J. Malone in the Buffalo Catholic Diocese sex abuse scandal, was featured on the CBS’s 60 Minutes.
Here’s what she had to say about working with reporters from WKBW.
“It has been a privilege to work with Charlie Specht of WKBW for several months now. His integrity, faith and tenacity have continued to impress me. As you are now aware, in recent weeks I have also collaborated with the 60 Minutes team, which is renowned for their investigative prowess. I am pleased that Charlie can break this news to my fellow Western New Yorkers. Please know that my conscience compelled me to take action regarding Bishop Malone because of my profound concern for victims, the diocese and our community. As a faithful Catholic, I could not abide by what I witnessed at the Chancery. As the whistleblower, my heart is heavy, but my soul is at peace.”
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