Paul Lubienecki Guilty Stalking
Caution for readers: This article records the use of profane language.
A former New York seminary professor pleaded guilty this week to charges of stalking a local news reporter, after a criminal complaint accused him of making a death threat and other threats over the phone.
Paul Lubienecki, a former adjunct professor at the now-closed Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, New York, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to stalking local investigative reporter Charlie Specht with the outlet WKBW. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Lubienecki will face sentencing on Nov. 9 at 12:30 p.m.
On six separate occasions, Lubienecki left harassing voicemails for Specht during Specht’s investigation into allegations of clerical sex abuse in the Buffalo diocese and at Christ the King seminary.
“I know where you live in [TOWN],” the Feb. 11, 2020 complaint accused Paul Lubienecki of telling Specht in a voicemail. “I’m going to find you. I’m going to kill you.”
Lubienecki’s six voicemails for Specht were left using a pre-paid no-contract cell phone between Aug. 20, 2019 and Feb. 4, 2020. The TracFone that he used would not reveal the number he was calling from.
A special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) was able to trace the phone to Lubienecki using subpoenaed phone records and his email address. In February, the FBI arrested Lubienecki and charged him with cyberstalking.
The voicemails contained expletives, attacking Specht’s professionalism and accusing him of malicious intent.
“So [Richard] Malone is still bishop … and you’re still a bad Catholic and a horrible reporter,” another one of Lubienecki’s voicemail said, according to the complaint. “You ought to get a job at Wal-Mart, that’s about the best you’ll do. I hope to God I don’t see you walking around [TOWN].”
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