FATHER WILLIAM LUPO SEXUAL ABUSE LAWYERS
GGH Law represents survivors of sexual abuse by Father William Lupo in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Our attorneys are ready to listen and help you understand your options. SEE IF YOUR CASE QUALIFIES
Confidential • No fee unless we win
THE CASE — BACKGROUND
Father William Lupo
Father William L. Lupo was ordained a Roman Catholic priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1965. He served at Our Lady Help of Christians, Our Lady Mother of the Church, St. Mary in Des Plaines (1979–1986), Our Lady of the Wayside in Arlington Heights (1986–1990), and St. Peter Damian in Bartlett (1990–2002). He was laicized in December 2014. He died in April 2021.
Legal Help For Survivors
WERE YOU OR A LOVED ONE ABUSED BY
CLERGY IN ILLINOIS?
ALLEGATIONS & TIMELINE
What the Records Show
- In May 2023, the Illinois AG’s Report identified Lupo among credibly accused Archdiocese of Chicago clergy, noting five reported survivors with alleged abuse between 1977 and 1987 in Cook County.
- In December 2014, Lupo was laicized.
- In October 2001, a woman reported a sexual relationship with Lupo dating back to 1984.
- In April 1993, the Archdiocese received its first complaint against Lupo exposing himself to two teenage girls at St. Mary in Des Plaines on multiple occasions, and hugging and kissing them on other occasions.
The review board found reasonable cause to suspect sexual misconduct and placed him on restrictions — which were then quietly lifted in 1995.
Legal Claims
What GGH Law Is Investigating
GGH Law is investigating civil claims on behalf of survivors. The following claims are central to the investigation.
Clergy Sexual Abuse of Minors
Father Lupo allegedly sexually abused teenage girls at St. Mary Parish in Des Plaines, including exposing himself and inappropriate physical contact. The Illinois AG’s 2023 Report identifies five reported survivors.
Negligent Supervision & Retention
The Archdiocese found reasonable cause to suspect Lupo of sexual misconduct with a minor in 1993, placed him on restrictions, then lifted those restrictions in 1995 — after which additional allegations surfaced in 2001.
Failure to Report
Despite finding reasonable cause in 1993, the Archdiocese did not refer the allegations to law enforcement.
Breach of Fiduciary Duty
The Archdiocese owed a duty of care to children in its parishes. That duty was allegedly breached by prematurely lifting restrictions and failing to report to law enforcement.
Named Defendants
Who Is Being Investigated
Father William L. Lupo (Deceased)
Ordained 1965, Archdiocese of Chicago. Served at parishes in Chicago, Des Plaines, Arlington Heights, and Bartlett. Archdiocese received first complaint 1993. Restrictions lifted 1995. Laicized December 2014. Died April 2021.
Archdiocese of Chicago
The Archdiocese found reasonable cause to suspect Lupo of sexual misconduct with a minor in 1993, placed him on restrictions, and lifted those restrictions in 1995. Personnel files were released under court order in 2014.
Your Attorneys
GGH Is Fighting for Families Like Yours
If you or someone you love was harmed due to negligence at a Catholic parish, school, or other Diocese-affiliated institution in Illinois, you may have legal options. GGH Law represents survivors in civil cases involving negligence, failure to supervise, and failure to disclose incidents of alleged abuse or harm.
Institutions have a legal duty to protect those in their care. When they fail to properly screen clergy, ignore warning signs, or conceal incidents of harm, they can be held accountable. The same applies to the Diocese itself — when a central authority oversees a network of parishes and schools, it also shares responsibility for ensuring those locations are safe.
You never pay out of pocket.
WE WORK ON CONTINGENCY
NO FEE UNLESS WE WIN
You only pay if we secure compensation.
Questions Survivors Are Asking
Frequently Asked Questions
THE GGH ADVANDAGE