A former stripper claims an Alabama priest paid her nearly $300,000 to be his secret sugar baby, despite his vow of abstinence.
Heather Jones, 33, claimed Fr. Robert ‘Bob’ Sullivan, 61, began a sexual relationship with her in 2009 after meeting her at a strip club where she danced at when she was just 17.
Their alleged relationship ended this year after she reported his suspected vow betrayal to his church, Our Lady of Sorrows in Homewood, near Birmingham. Sullivan is not facing any criminal charges.
Jones claims the priest gave her $273,000 and forced her to sign an NDA, which she broke to tell her story, first reported by The Guardian.
Sullivan allegedly paid her a total of $120,000 via 125 Venmo transactions between July 18, 2024, to March 26, 2025.
According to Jones, Sullivan – then allegedly a regular patron at the club – offered her financial support in exchange for what he described as ‘private companionship,’ a term Jones says included sex.
She also submitted a formal written statement to the Diocese of Birmingham, detailing the alleged years-long relationship with the priest, who was ordained in 1993.
‘I was a minor with no experience navigating adult relationships,’ Jones wrote in her statement.
Heather Jones, 33, said Fr. Robert ‘Bob’ Sullivan, 61, began a sexual relationship with her after meeting her at a strip club where she danced at when she was 17 in 2009
He allegedly gave her $273,000 and forced her to sign an NDA. The Auburn University graduate additionally paid her a total of $120,000 via 125 Venmo transactions between July 18, 2024, to March 26, 2025, as part of their sugar baby agreement
She added that she felt compelled to speak out so many years later because Sullivan continued working closely with families and children as a pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Homewood – about 5 miles outside Birmingham.
‘Others may be vulnerable to the same type of manipulation and exploitation,’ she told The Guardian.
Daily Mail has reached out to the church and Sullivan for comment.
Jones says she requested a revision to the NDA and an additional $100,000, arguing the original agreement, ‘heavily favored his interests and offered no meaningful protection, healing or justice’.
But, she said her request was ignored and ultimately chose to violate the NDA, stating she believed ‘it would not hold up in court’.
Jones, who recently began law school, said she could provide additional evidence, such as phone records and photos if requested by investigators.
The Auburn University graduate has since taken a ‘personal leave,’ announcing on August 3 that he would be absent after ‘after prayer and reflection’.
Bishop Steven Raica of the Diocese of Birmingham later confirmed in a letter to parishioners that Sullivan had been placed on leave set to begin on August 4 and that the matter had been referred to the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Their relationship ended this year after she reported his vow betrayal to his church, Our Lady of Sorrows in Homewood (pictured)
According to Jones, Sullivan – then allegedly a regular patron at the club – offered her financial support in exchange for what he described as ‘private companionship,’ a term Jones says included sex
‘Father Sullivan was granted a leave of absence and is currently removed from all priestly service pending the outcome of the investigation,’ Raica wrote to the diocese.
The Diocese also reported the allegations to the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR). However, the DHR eventually determined the claims did not meet the criteria for an investigation.
Alabama law allows individuals aged 16 and older to legally consent to sex, and the state does not have laws specifically prohibiting clergy from engaging in sexual relationships with adult congregants under their spiritual care, according to the Alabama DHR.
However, under Catholic canon law, anyone under 18 is considered a minor, and sexual contact with them is considered abusive. The Church began enforcing such rules more strictly in the early 2000s following widespread clergy abuse scandals.
Diocese spokesperson Donald Carson said that while civil authorities may not pursue the matter, Sullivan is prohibited from public ministry pending the outcome of the Church’s internal investigation.
‘We keep Father Sullivan and the woman who’s making the allegations certainly in our prayers,’ Carson said.
The bishop also revealed the church had no plans on revealing Sullivan’s reason for a leave of absence until after the investigation was complete – as is policy. However, he changed course after The Guardian article was published.
She also submitted a formal written statement to the Diocese of Birmingham, detailing the alleged years-long relationship with the priest, who was ordained in 1993
On Wednesday, Raica wrote in a statement to the diocese that Sullivan had ‘a presumption of innocence until proven otherwise’ as the investigations pending against him progressed.
‘Anyone accused in the Church possesses a presumption of innocence until proven otherwise, equivalent to the right granted in civil law,’ he wrote to the diocese.
Following Sullivan’s ‘absence,’ Birmingham diocese vicar general Kevin Bazzel told congregants on Sunday that Raica had appointed him as Our Lady of Sorrows’ temporary administrator in Sullivan’s absence.