Reverend Joseph Maurizio, Jr. of Johnstown, PA , previously charged with 8 counts of sexual molestation of minors and possession of child pornography, was convicted on 5 counts by the US. District Court, Johnstown, PA.
Maurizio traveled to ProNiño between years 2000 to 2009 under the guise of promoting charitable work for the ProNiño organization. When allegations about sexual activity surfaced in 2009, ProNiño USA took immediate action to ban Maurizio from the ProNiño property and swiftly pursued justice by contacting and cooperating with the FBI and later with the United States Department of Homeland Security. In 2014, Maurizio was jailed where he remained without bond until the trial. ProNiño USA worked tirelessly to bring charges and a conviction against the accused. On September 22, 2015, the guilty verdict was announced, justice prevailed, and this sad, devastating chapter in the ProNiño history has ended.
It is with heartfelt emotions and boundless appreciation that ProNiño USA gives thanks for our courageous board members and on-site employee who waged a battle of immense, lengthy proportions to protect the rights and welfare of our boys. PNUSA moves forward committed to protecting the rights of not only the ProNiño boys but also children worldwide. The Honduran Fundación ProNiño Board and the ProNiño staff have taken actions to secure their property and thoroughly screen and supervise volunteers so that no similar action nor any improper behavior will ever occur in their facility again. We continue to educate, safeguard and counsel our boys.
Respectfully submitted,
ProNiño USA Board of Directors
Maurizio traveled to ProNiño between years 2000 to 2009 under the guise of promoting charitable work for the ProNiño organization. When allegations about sexual activity surfaced in 2009, ProNiño USA took immediate action to ban Maurizio from the ProNiño property and swiftly pursued justice by contacting and cooperating with the FBI and later with the United States Department of Homeland Security. In 2014, Maurizio was jailed where he remained without bond until the trial. ProNiño USA worked tirelessly to bring charges and a conviction against the accused. On September 22, 2015, the guilty verdict was announced, justice prevailed, and this sad, devastating chapter in the ProNiño history has ended.
It is with heartfelt emotions and boundless appreciation that ProNiño USA gives thanks for our courageous board members and on-site employee who waged a battle of immense, lengthy proportions to protect the rights and welfare of our boys. PNUSA moves forward committed to protecting the rights of not only the ProNiño boys but also children worldwide. The Honduran Fundación ProNiño Board and the ProNiño staff have taken actions to secure their property and thoroughly screen and supervise volunteers so that no similar action nor any improper behavior will ever occur in their facility again. We continue to educate, safeguard and counsel our boys.
Respectfully submitted,
ProNiño USA Board of Directors