Skip to content
Photo: St. James Cathedral in downtown Orlando, Florida. Courtesy of Wikipedia.
FOX35 Orlando reports that three new lawsuits have been filed against the Diocese of Orlando, intensifying scrutiny over longstanding claims of clergy sexual abuse within the Catholic Church.
Two of the newly filed suits name Father Bob Hoeffner, a priest already accused by multiple victims and fatally shot last year by one of his accusers. The third lawsuit names George Zina, a former church worker in the Doctor Phillips area, who allegedly abused a minor in various locations, including multiple churches and his personal vehicle.
One of the lawsuits seeks $25 million in damages and a trial by jury. That suit centers on alleged abuse by Hoeffner and accuses the diocese, along with a church and school, of failing to act, going so far as to allege “willful acts of disregard and concealing” the abuse.
As of now, the Diocese of Orlando has not issued a public response to these latest legal filings. It is also unclear whether any criminal investigations will be launched in tandem with the civil lawsuits or whether more victims will come forward.
Details about what church leaders knew at the time of the alleged abuse—and how they responded—have not yet been fully revealed in court records.
Father Bob Hoeffner had already been named in previous abuse allegations before his death last year. In one earlier lawsuit filed by 26-year-old Shawn Teuber, the accuser alleged that Hoeffner began grooming him in seventh grade at St. Joseph Catholic School in Palm Bay between 2012 and 2014.
According to that lawsuit, Hoeffner allegedly pulled Teuber from classes, lunch, and school activities to spend time alone with him—sometimes at school, other times in Hoeffner’s car or home. The lawsuit also alleges that another student raised concerns about Hoeffner’s behavior toward Teuber and other boys, but no action was taken.
George Zina, named in a separate lawsuit, had not been previously associated with public allegations of abuse. His alleged misconduct reportedly occurred in the 2000s while he worked at churches in the Dr. Phillips area.
These new lawsuits arrive as the Catholic Church continues to confront widespread allegations of sexual abuse and cover-ups that span decades and dioceses across the U.S. In recent weeks, dioceses in Fresno, Vermont, Buffalo, and New Orleans have also faced fresh lawsuits or settlements. Most notably, in October 2024, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles announced an historic $880 million settlement to survivors of clergy abuse.
The latest accusations against the Diocese of Orlando may further erode public trust in church leadership and reopen wounds for parishioners still grappling with past abuses. As survivors continue to seek accountability, institutions across the Catholic Church face mounting legal, financial, and moral pressure to act with transparency and compassion.
Legal Help For Clergy Abuse Survivors
If you or someone you love is a survivor of clergy sexual abuse, you are not alone. Learn more about your legal rights and options by visiting our Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Guide. You can also fill out the brief, confidential form below so that our intake team may connect you with an empathetic attorney who knows what you’re going through.
