Glens Falls, NY, Feb 17, 2011 — A former priest convicted of raping two altar boys from the Glens Falls area has been sentenced to 20 to 25 years in state prison in Massachusetts.

Gary Mercure was traveling in that state with two boys from his North Country parish when he raped and assaulted them.

The attacks happened in the 1980s. Other children who were once under Mercure's care have since come forward to say that they were also molested.  Go to full article

Cornwall, ON, Dec 16, 2009 — A three-year inquiry into claims of widespread sexual abuse of children in Cornwall, Ontario concluded yesterday. Commissioner Normand Glaude faulted local institutions like the Catholic church, the Children's Aid Society, and the police for looking the other way as children and teens were abused. In a statement delivered yesterday in Cornwall, Glaude said the institutions "failed to serve the interests of justice and the goal of protecting the vulnerable against abuse." Andrew Carroll is managing editor of the Cornwall Standard Freeholder. He told David Sommerstein the report points the finger at high-profile leaders of the community.  Go to full article

Dec 26, 2008 — A man who was once a giant in North Country politics pleaded guilty on Wednesday in federal court following a child-sex scandal that shocked the region. Former state Assemblyman Chris Ortloff pleaded guilty to a single count of online enticement of minors. The 61-year-old divided his time between Plattsburgh and Lake Placid after leaving the legislature in 2006. He was arrested in October 2008 following a sex-crime sting and subsequently resigned his appointed position with the state Parole Board.

State police say that Ortloff negotiated with a undercover officer whom he believed to be the mother of two girls, ages 11 and 12. Ortloff was arrested in an Colonie hotel room, after arranging to meet the children for a sexual liaison. According to a report in the Albany Times Union, Ortloff's plea could help him win a reduced sentence. Ortloff now faces between ten years and life in a state prison.

Details of the crime sent shock waves through the community and through the Republican Party. Ortloff represented the North Country's 110th Assembly District from 1986 until 2006. When Ortloff was arrested, he was equipped with sexual aids, including condoms and vibrators. He has been housed in a jail in Washington County. His sentencing appearance is scheduled for April 23. According to the Plattsburgh Press-Republican, Ortloff has been released into home confinement until his sentencing.  Go to full article

Jan 31, 2003 — The Diocese of Ogdensburg will pay a total of 180 thousand dollars to four women, who accused a Roman Catholic Priest of sexually abusing them as children. The settlement follows a 17 million dollar lawsuit filed against the Diocese last year. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article

Jan 28, 2003 — A 72-year-old man from Saranac Lake - accused of molesting an 11-year-old-boy - will serve up to eight years in prison. Former coach Frank Miller pleaded guilty to first degree sodomy. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article

Jul 03, 2002 — Four North Country pastors have been removed from their ministries following a "zero tolerance" policy on child sexual abuse by Roman Catholic priests. The removals mean the consolidation of some parishes and the transfer of priests. Jody Tosti spoke with the Diocese of Ogdensburg and has this story.  Go to full article

Jun 19, 2002 — At least one North Country priest will lose his ministry as a result of policies on sexual abuse adopted last week by Catholic bishops nationwide. David Sommerstein has more.  Go to full article

Apr 18, 2002 — April is Sexual Assault Awareness month. To show support for survivors of sexual abuse, a Take Back the Night rally will be held at the Potsdam Gazebo in Ives Park tonight. Jody Tosti reports.  Go to full article

Mar 27, 2002 — The New York State Senate has passed a bill that would require priests and other clergy to report evidence of child sexual abuse. It was passed in response to the growing sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic Church. Karen Dewitt reports.  Go to full article

Mar 25, 2002 — A Catholic priest that served in small towns across the North Country has been accused of sexually abusing children. A lawsuit filed by two women in Syracuse hopes to win a damage award of seven million dollars. As Brian Mann reports, the same priest has been accused of sexually abusing girls over a period of twenty-five years—in Canton, Sackets Harbor, and St. Regis Falls.  Go to full article