Profile Facts
- Name
- Chester Vincent Tomaszewski
- Role
- Priest
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lansing
- Ordained
- 1959
- Status
- Accused
- Died
- 10/21/1987
- Records
- Diocesan and public records
Father Chester Vincent Tomaszewski, ordained in 1959, served as a priest in the Diocese of Lansing and has been accused of the sexual abuse of minors. White Law PLLC’s clergy sexual abuse lawyers stand with Michigan survivors, and this page gathers what public records report about the accusations against Father Chester Vincent Tomaszewski.
The sections that follow cover where Father Chester Vincent Tomaszewski served, what survivors and investigators have reported, and how criminal and civil cases differ in Michigan. Reading them can help you understand your options if you were abused by Father Chester Vincent Tomaszewski.
Sexual Abuse in the Diocese of Lansing
The 2018 investigation launched by Michigan’s Attorney General put every diocese in the state under the microscope, the Diocese of Lansing included. Anyone abused by Father Chester Vincent Tomaszewski can speak with a Michigan clergy sexual abuse lawyer at White Law PLLC about what the investigation uncovered.
Across Michigan’s seven dioceses (Archdiocese of Detroit, Diocese of Lansing, Diocese of Grand Rapids, Diocese of Kalamazoo, Diocese of Saginaw, Diocese of Marquette, Diocese of Gaylord), investigators documented patterns of abuse and institutional failure stretching back decades. The Diocese of Lansing portion of that record is relevant to understanding the accusations against Father Chester Vincent Tomaszewski.
The Allegations Against Father Chester Vincent Tomaszewski
Where He Served
Published records indicate that Chester Vincent Tomaszewski was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Lansing in 1959. He went on sick leave on January 15, 1987, and died on October 21, 1987. The diocese publicly named him as credibly accused on September 27, 2019, and he was included in the Michigan Attorney General’s December 16, 2024 report on the Diocese of Lansing.
What Survivors Reported
According to the Attorney General’s report, a man came forward in 2008 to report that Tomaszewski had sexually abused him as an altar boy at St. Mary’s in Bronson, Michigan, in the late 1960s or early 1970s. The man received a $205,000 settlement, and the Diocese paid for his counseling.
Because Tomaszewski died in 1987, he is no longer alive for anyone to pursue criminal charges against him. A civil claim, however, may still be available against his estate or the institutions responsible for supervising him.
Criminal vs. Civil Sexual Abuse Cases
A criminal prosecution and a civil lawsuit do different jobs for survivors of Father Chester Vincent Tomaszewski’s alleged abuse. Criminal cases are filed by prosecutors and can put an offender behind bars. Civil cases are filed by survivors themselves and pursue financial recovery. One does not require the other.
Civil liability for the abuse Father Chester Vincent Tomaszewski is accused of can extend past the priest to his estate and to the diocese or order that employed him. Institutions are answerable when they knew or should have known of the risk, failed to prevent abuse, concealed allegations, or fell short on screening and training. Survivors may recover medical and therapy expenses, damages for pain and suffering, and compensation for emotional distress.
Statute of Limitations on Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases in Michigan
For anyone abused by Father Chester Vincent Tomaszewski, Michigan law sets specific deadlines for civil claims. Under Michigan Legislature §600.5805, a survivor generally has ten years from the abuse, or until turning 28, whichever is later, to file suit. For first-degree criminal sexual conduct, Michigan imposes no time limit.
It is common for survivors abused by priests such as Father Chester Vincent Tomaszewski to delay reporting. Psychological trauma can suppress memories for decades, and many victims only connect their suffering to the abuse much later in life. The law’s extended timelines reflect that understanding, but acting sooner preserves more options.
View All Accused Clergy in Michigan
Pursue Justice With Help From White Law PLLC
White Law PLLC represents Michigan survivors in clergy abuse cases like the one involving Father Chester Vincent Tomaszewski. Reach us at (517) 316-1195 for a private consultation. Taking the first step is often the hardest, we will handle it with care.
Speaking with our team is confidential and carries no obligation. We can assess how the reported conduct of Father Chester Vincent Tomaszewski fits Michigan law and what remedies may be available to you.
Profiles summarize published records and allegations. Inclusion does not constitute a legal finding.