BishopAccountability.org
	Spokane Diocese Bankruptcy Lawyers Seek Closed Proceedings on Fees Associated Press, carried in KPAX September 10, 2007 http://www.montanasnewsstation.com/Global/story.asp?S=7049722&nav=menu227_8 Spokane — Bankruptcy lawyers who have billed the Roman Catholic Diocese of Spokane are asking that proceedings on their fees be closed to the public. At issue is more than ten million million dollars the lawyers are seeking for their work. The case stems from a $48 million settlement to resolve claims of sexual abuse by priests decades ago. In ten days, lawyers for Bishop William Skylstad and for people who filed the abuse claims are scheduled to meet with a federal mediator in Reno, Nevada. Any agreement they reach is subject to approval by a federal bankruptcy judge, and if they cannot agree the issue could be heard in court. Filings so far have been vaguely worded, and the mediation sessions are closed to the public. A lawyer for the diocese, Shaun Cross, says all sides want to avoid a public battle with big headlines.
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