BELLEVILLE (IL)
Belleville News-Democrat
BY GEORGE PAWLACZYK – News-Democrat
BELLEVILLE — Three lawsuits settled on Tuesday in St. Clair County Court involving two priests of the Catholic Diocese of Belleville brings to at least five the number of victims of sexual abuse of a minor by a priest of the diocese that have resulted in monetary damages.
While the previous payouts total $7.5 million for two lawsuits — $6.3 million paid to James Wisniewski last year and $1.2 million to a victim identified only as “John Doe” in 2009 — the amount of damages in the newly announced agreements is confidential by agreement of the parties.
Belleville plaintiffs attorney Mike Weilmuenster said the agreement to settle the lawsuits contained a clause in each stating that the exact amount of damages cannot be disclosed. However, he said, “It is a substantial sum.”
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