Catholic Priests' Victims Expected to Get More Than Half a Billion Dollars in Settlement Staff and Wire Reports The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles is expected to soon settle hundreds of clergy abuse cases for more than $600 million in what would be the largest payout in the church's sexual abuse scandal. Sources close to the archdiocese said terms of a settlement were being worked out this weekend, just days before the first of more than 500 clergy abuse cases is scheduled for jury selection. Some said the deal would be at least a half-billion dollars, while others said it could be significantly higher.
The Associated Press reported Saturday that the archdiocese and its insurers are set to announce the deal Monday and will pay between $600 million and $650 million to about 500 plaintiffs - an average of $1.2 million to $1.3 million per person.
The Associated Press also reported that the settlement calls for the release of confidential priest personnel files after review by a judge assigned to oversee the litigation. "No matter what the amount, it'll definitely be that largest settlement in clergy sex abuse history," said David Clohessy, national director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. "It's because church officials have so much to hide.
" It wasn't immediately clear how the cost of the payout would be split, but a source told the Daily News most would come from the church's central operations fund, individual parishes involved in the cases and insurance payments. A judge must sign off on the agreement, and final details were being ironed out. Lead plaintiffs' attorney Ray Boucher confirmed Saturday that the sides were working on a deal but he would not discuss specifics.
"We're working toward a settlement and I remain optimistic," Boucher said. "I'm working through the night and will work through tomorrow. If we're unable to reach a settlement, we may go to trial and I'm prepared for Monday morning.
" Tod Tamberg, archdiocese spokesman, declined to comment on any settlement details. "The archdiocese will be in court Monday morning," he said. The settlement would be the largest ever by a Roman Catholic archdiocese since the clergy sexual abuse scandal erupted in Boston in 2002.
Among the largest total payouts was $100 million in 2004 by the Diocese of Orange, to settle 90 claims. The Archdiocese of Boston agreed in 2003 to pay $84 million for 552 cases stemming from a scandal that caused Cardinal Bernard Law to resign. The Los Angeles archdiocese, its insurers and various Roman Catholic orders have paid more than $114 million to settle 86 claims so far.
The largest of those came in December, when the archdiocese reached a $60 million settlement with 45 people whose claims dated from before the mid-1950s and after 1987 - periods when it had little or no sexual abuse insurance. For related news, visit The God Blog and its previous incarnation at The Daily News.
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