Apr 2, 2003 By Patty Shultz 2 min read

A federal magistrate has recommended that a civil lawsuit filed by a former Connellsville man against the Diocese of Greensburg and two individuals within the Diocese be dismissed by the judge slated to oversee the case. According to U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Ila Jeanne Sensenich, the plaintiff, Charles Hartz Jr., 38, now of Michigan, waited too long to file his lawsuit against the Diocese, Bishop Anthony G. Bosco and Father Gregory F. Premoshis, the former president of Geibel Catholic High School.

In the 2002 lawsuit, Hartz claimed that Premoshis sexually assaulted him over a two-year period in the early 1980s while he was a student at the school.

“As the (Pennsylvania) statute makes clear, (Hartz’s) claims must be filed within two years of when they accrue,” wrote Sensenich in her recommendation to federal judge Terrence F. McVerry.

Attorney Carl Eck, legal counsel for the Diocese, Bosco and Premoshis had argued in earlier briefs filed with the court that any claims by Hartz should have been filed by 1984.

“(The recommendation) was very well thought out, conclusive and very proper,” said Eck on Tuesday.

Attorney Helen Kotler, who represents Hartz in the matter, did not return a telephone call placed to her office on Tuesday seeking comment on the ruling.

In the initial lawsuit, Hartz alleged that while a teacher at Geibel, Premoshis sexually assaulted him in several locations, including the school and in various cities and states where Premoshis would transport him.

The alleged abuse, claimed Hartz, caused him numerous psychological problems that subsequently caused the break-up of a marriage and an engagement that was to lead to a second marriage.

Premoshis has since been removed from his position at Geibel and barred by the Diocese from taking part in public ministry as a priest.

Kotler has 10 days to appeal Sensenich’s recommendation.