Judge sets May deadline for Diocese of Duluth abuse claims

MINNESOTA
Duluth News Tribune

By Tom Olsen

A U.S. bankruptcy judge has set a May 25 deadline for victims of child sexual abuse by priests to file claims against the Diocese of Duluth.

Judge Robert Kressel set the deadline, also known as a “bar date,” after a hearing Thursday morning in Minneapolis. The deadline gives victims the full opportunity to seek damages under the Minnesota Child Victims Act, which is set to expire the same day.

The diocese filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last month after being hit with a $4.9 million verdict in the first case to go to trial under the Child Victims Act.

At the time of the filing, the diocese was already facing five additional lawsuits and 12 claims stemming from abuse allegations. Victims’ attorneys said they expected those numbers to swell ahead of the filing deadline.

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