Legal Costs in Archdiocese Abuse Case Top $5M

KARE
December 4, 2015

http://www.kare11.com/story/news/2015/12/04/legal-costs-in-archdiocese-abuse-case-top-5m/76770480/

The cost of legal and professional services in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis bankruptcy case has topped $5 million.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Kressel approved more than $3 million in fees on Thursday to cover services provided for the archdiocese's financial reorganization and clergy abuse claims.

Kressel reminded attorneys that he ordered the case to mediation to "save money and speed up the process."

Acting Archbishop Bernard Hebda says the complexity of the case is a big reason for the costs.

At bankruptcy judge earlier granted the archdiocese an extension to file its reorganization plan from Nov. 30 to May 31. The archdiocese had cited the large number of claims filed against it for sexual abuse by clergy as a factor.