Survivors Vote in Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis Bankruptcy Case

By Rose Heaphy
Fox 9
May 11, 2017

http://www.fox9.com/news/254075394-story


- The sexual abuse survivors have voted for a plan in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis bankruptcy case.

In December 2016, a U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge decided the survivors would vote on the two proposed reorganization plans.

The Archdiocese submitted one plan and the Creditors' Committee submitted the other. Last May, the Archdiocese filed its plan, which called for a total of $155 million in payments to abuse survivors and other creditors - with $65 million coming from the Archdiocese and the rest from insurance.

Attorneys representing the survivors believed the Archdiocese was attempting to conceal its assets. The survivors and the Creditors' Committee submitted their plan, which states the Archdiocese would provide $80 million and more to be received from insurance in payments to survivors.

The Creditors' Committee plan received 94 percent of the votes and 93 percent of the survivors also voted to reject the Archdiocese's plan.

There were 447 total people who were eligible to vote, 406 voted.

“We applaud all the courageous survivors who have come forward to speak their truth. Your voices have been heard,” said Attorney Jeff Anderson.

This vote is the first of its kind. Never before have there been two competing plans voted on in a Diocesan or Religious Order bankruptcy.

The Archdiocese filed for bankruptcy in January of 2015 amid allegations of clergy sexual abuse.