Judge: Church Sex Abuse Victim Can't Get More Money from Bankruptcy Case

WTAQ
October 23, 2013

http://wtaq.com/news/articles/2013/oct/23/judge-church-sex-abuse-victim-cant-get-more-money-from-bankruptcy-case/

Judge's Gavel

MILWAUKEE (WTAQ) - A sex abuse victim who got an $80,000 settlement from the Milwaukee Archdiocese cannot get more money from the church's bankruptcy case. 

That's according to a new ruling from Federal Judge Rudolph Randa. 

The male victim took part in a mediation program set up by the Catholic archdiocese 10 years ago.

He said he deserves to be a creditor in the church's bankruptcy, saying he was lied to during the mediation process. Judge Randa disagreed. He said state laws protect what's said during mediation sessions -- and it cannot be used as evidence in the church's bankruptcy proceeding. 

Church spokesman Jerry Topczewski praised the ruling, saying it's fair to everyone involved.

Hundreds of people have filed claims in the bankruptcy, saying they should be compensated for being molested by priests in the archdiocese. 

The man who questioned his mediation was abused by the late Father Lawrence Murphy -- who was suspected of molesting hundreds of boys at a school for the deaf in suburban Milwaukee.