MILWAUKEE (WI)
SNAP Wisconsin
Dolan 2007 letter to Vatican is “smoking gun” proving he committed federal bankruptcy fraud, victims say
Dolan 2007 letter to Vatican is “smoking gun” proving he committed federal bankruptcy fraud, victims say
New York Cardinal conspired with Vatican while in Milwaukee to transfer nearly $57 million into new corporation for the “protection” of funds “from any legal claim and liability”
Milwaukee Archdiocese filed for bankruptcy in January 2011 not claiming Dolan’s transferred funds as assets
Survivors asking US attorney to investigate Dolan for criminal charges of “fraudulent conveyance”
Statement by Peter Isely, SNAP Midwest Director (Milwaukee)
CONTACT: 414.429.7259
Dolan letter to Vatican at this link:
On June 4, 2007, then Archbishop Timothy Dolan of Milwaukee, now Cardinal of New York, sent a letter to the Vatican requesting permission to transfer nearly $57 million dollars from the assets of the archdiocese into a new “autonomous pious foundation” called a “Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust.”
While this was occurring the Milwaukee Archdiocese was facing a growing number of potential claims for fraud in concealing and transferring known child sex offenders. Dolan had considered bankruptcy for the archdiocese as early as 2004.
According to the letter to Cardinal Claudio Hummes, Prefect of the powerful Congregation of the Clergy in Rome, Dolan said he had already established the Trust on May 4, 2007, after “extensive study and consultation” and was seeking permission from the Vatican to make the transfer.
Dolan then clearly states his intent for creating the Trust: “By transferring these assets to the Trust, they will be protected by any legal claim and liability.”
On July 1, 2007 the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled unanimously that civil cases for fraud against the Milwaukee Archdiocese could proceed.
Two weeks later, on July 18, 2007 Dolan got his approval from Rome and the money, presumably, was then transferred.
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