Former priest in sex abuse settlement suspended from volunteer post with Mo. Special Olympics

Mo. Special Olympics ousts ex-priest over abuse

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A former Catholic priest whose admitted abuse of boys in the 1980s led to a $5 million settlement in Wisconsin has been suspended as a volunteer with Special Olympics Missouri.

Tom Ericksen of Kansas City was suspended last week when Special Olympics Missouri learned of his involvement in a sex abuse settlement case in Wisconsin in 1989. The 62-year-old former priest says he had been volunteering with the organization since 2005.

Ericksen acknowledged Monday reaching a settlement with Wisconsin’s Roman Catholic Diocese of Superior in a case involving four boys. He said he “fondled” three of the boys but denied having contact with the fourth.

Ericksen also said he hasn’t abused any children since leaving the priesthood.