Adfero [Los Angeles CA]
July 15, 2007
http://www.adfero.co.uk/news/autocodes/countries/united-states-america/la-church-
reaches-record-abuse-settlement-$1108928.htm
The Los Angeles Catholic church has settled more than 500 sexual abuse cases for $660 million (¸324 million).
According to an anonymous source cited by the Associated Press news agency, the figure has yet to be approved by a judge, but is set to be by far the largest payout in the church's sexual abuse scandal, averaging just over $1.3 million per plaintiff.
Ray Boucher, the lead plaintiff's lawyer, confirmed that the deal was reached on Saturday and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles is expected to release a statement this morning (Sunday).
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| LA church reaches record abuse settlement |
Mr Boucher also revealed that the settlement has called for the release of confidential priest personnel files which, he said, could reveal whether church leaders had been covering up for abusive priests.
"Transparency is a critical part of this and of all resolutions," he said.
If the settlement is approved, it will bring the total amount paid out by the US church to more than $2 billion since 1950.
Around a quarter of this figure has been paid by the Los Angeles archdiocese, whose largest settlement to date came in December, when it paid $60 million to 45 people.
The archdiocese is expected to sell property in order to meet the settlement figure.
Plaintiff Steven Sanchez told the Associated Press that he is both relieved and disappointed by news of the settlement.
"I was really emotionally ready to take on the archdiocese in court in less than 48 hours, but I'm glad all victims are going to be compensated," he said, adding that he hopes all the victims find "some type of healing in this process".
Nearly 1,000 people have filed sexual abuse claims against the Roman Catholic church in California since 2002.
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