PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The only defrocked Philadelphia priest indicted by the federal government has pleaded guilty to four counts of perjury as part of a plea agreement.
Prosecutors said the federal investigations in the priest sex abuse scandal are now coming to a close.
Robert Brennan admitted to lying to the FBI about knowing Sean McIlmail and his family, as the feds were investigating priest sexual abuse following the state attorney general’s report.
Prosecutors say two FBI agents went to the Maryland home where defrocked priest Robert Brennan was living a few years ago and showed him a picture of McIlmail and himself at a middle school graduation.
"He claimed he did not know the victim. He did not know his father, his mother, or his brother, even though they were all very prominent members of Resurrection of Our Lord Church here in Philadelphia," said Assistant US Attorney Michelle Morgan.
Federal officials said they have an abundance of proof Brennan knew the family, and Brennan has now admitted he lied to the agents.
Brennan was charged with sexual assault in 2013 by the District Attorney, accused of repeatedly abusing McIlmail when he was in middle school. McIlmail died of a drug overdose soon after, and charges were dismissed.
Michael McIlmail said his brother was heroic for stepping forward about the abuse.
"He’s not just another statistic, he wasn’t just a drug user," said Michael, who said the drug use that led to his death by heroin overdose in 2013 was a result of the trauma Brennan brought to him.
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"There were reasons he had his problems, and he came forward in the interest of others, specifically his two nephews."
He said the plea deal is helping the family's path forward.
"It’s given some type of closure to the family, and it’s a step in the grieving process, and we are very appreciative of that."
Their mother Debbie said Sean’s fight for justice has prompted dozens of others to say something.
"That’s what I want people to know, that he was here and he was going to make a difference and is making a difference," said Debbie.
Brennan will face the judge again in March, where she may or may not accept the plea agreement. If she does, he faces five years probation with two years house arrest.
Sean’s father, also named Michael, said it’s not enough, but it’s something.
"I would like to see him rot in jail until the day he dies, but I guess I have to be happy with what’s happening right now," said Sean's father.
Brennan and his attorneys left court without speaking with reporters.