Overview

• Heather Jones alleges Father Robert Sullivan began a sexual relationship with her in 2009 when she was 17 and later proposed a $273,000 non-disclosure agreement for continued private companionship.
• Jones says she received two wire transfers of $136,500 each days after the NDA offer and nearly $120,000 in Venmo payments between July 2024 and March 2025 as hush money.
• The Diocese of Birmingham placed Sullivan on personal leave on August 2 and initiated a canonical investigation under Church law.
• The Alabama Department of Human Resources reviewed the allegations but concluded they did not meet its threshold for a criminal or child-protective investigation.
• The diocese’s victim assistance coordinator remains in contact with Jones and is providing support as the review of the case continues.