A priest from Vienna that was accused of sexually abusing a man while he was a child has been reinstated.

This comes after an independent review board found no sufficient evidence to proceed with criminal action against Father Denis Bouchard, according to a news release from the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown.

Bouchard, the former pastor off Queen of the Holy Parish, was placed on leave in 2018 after a man accused Bouchard of sexual abuse when he was a child. 

In a civil suit that was filed in 2019, a jury sided with Bouchard on claims of civil assault, civil battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress against the accuser.

However they did not find that Bouchard was defamed by the accuser's allegations.

"The investigation is now closed, Father Bouchard is no longer on administrative leave..." the news release states. "Father Bouchard will return to his provincial headquarters and receive a new assignment."

21 News has reached out to the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter for more information.