Long Island Priest Accused Of Sexual Abuse: Diocese

LONG ISLAND, NY - A Long Island priest has stepped down following an allegation of sexual abuse in the 90's, the Diocese of Rockville Centre announced on Friday.

According to a statement from the Diocese, the claim was made against Father Brian J. Brinker, who has been serving as a chaplain at Our Lady of Consolation Nursing and Rehabilitative Care Center.

This claim relates to incidents that allegedly took place in the years from 1993 to 1997 before he began working at OLC.

The incident was reported to the Office of the District Attorney and the diocese began an investigation of the claim as part of its Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program.

The investigation is currently ongoing.

"At this time, as a precautionary measure, Father Brinker has agreed to step away from ministry," the statement read.

According to the diocese, in 1996, a complaint separate from the Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program claim was made against Brinker.

The allegations were investigated and presented to the Diocesan Review Board in January of 2003. The District Attorney was aware of the matter at the time.

"While the Review Board found that Fr. Brinker had exercised questionable judgment in his interactions with the youth in question, they found no evidence of sexual abuse," the diocese wrote in a statement.

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