Allegations of Sexual Misconduct
In May 2002, Fushek disclosed to his congregation that, in 1995, the Diocese of Phoenix had settled a sexual harassment suit that had been filed against him by a former Life Teen staff member.
In April 2004, the newly installed Bishop Thomas Olmsted, who replaced Bishop Thomas O'Brien after his conviction and resignation for a fatal hit-and-run accident, accepted Fushek's resignation from his position as Vicar General.
In late December 2004, additional complaints against Fushek emerged and the Diocese of Phoenix began to conduct an investigation. Fushek was placed on paid administrative leave shortly thereafter.
On January 27, 2005, a lawsuit was filed in Maricopa County Superior Court alleging that Fushek witnessed a sexual assault committed by a priest, and did nothing.
On April 4, 2005, Fushek resigned as a pastor of St. Timothy's Catholic Church.
On November 21, 2005, Fushek was arrested and charged with 10 criminal misdemeanor counts related to alleged sexual contact with teens and young adults. Maricopa County prosecutors have not ruled out the possibility of more serious charges. On May 22, 2006, three of the ten misdemeanor counts were dismissed at the request of the prosecution.
On December 5, 2006, the lawsuit filed on January 27, 2005, was settled by the Diocese of Phoenix for $100,000. The settlement does not imply any admission of guilt, according to the Diocesan attorney Mike Haran. The case was dismissed with prejudice, which means it cannot be refiled.
On February 16, 2010, the Arizona Republic reported that Pope Benedict XVI had laicized Fushek after Church investigations of the allegations. During this 3-year internal trial, Fushek opted not to participate in his own defense citing that he now felt free to pursue God's will.
On April 15, 2010, Fushek pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor assault, ending five years of prosecution on charges of inappropriate sexual behavior involving teens. Fushek was sentenced to 364 days of probation and fined $250. The four other charges were dropped.
In March 2011, Fushek released his autobiography, The Unexpected Life: An Autobiography of a Very Human Priest, ISBN 978-1-881276-05-0. The cover states that, "Dale Fushek presents a candid, flesh and blood portrait of the sacred and the profane in his life as an ordained priest. The good, the bad, and the unbelievable are described with gratitude and commitment to a larger purpose. Unflinching yet always dignified, Dale Fushek gives his reaction to the events that sent his personal ministry into chaos, and changed the very fabric of his existence."
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