GUAM
KUAM
Updated: Jul 28, 2017
By Krystal Paco
Settlement is back on the table – at least for a majority of the sex abuse cases lodged against the Archdiocese of Agana and possibly the Boy Scouts of America Aloha Council.
The majority of the cases of clergy sex abuse filed in the District Court of Guam have been put on hold. On Friday, Judge Joaquin Manibusan granted a motion to stay for over 70 civil cases. His decision followed news that parties have secured a mediator, Oregon-based retired federal Judge Michael Hogan.
Archdiocese of Agana legal counsel John Terlaje and plaintiffs’ attorney David Lujan expressed great confidence in their chosen mediator. Terlaje said, “He is very well known. Very well respected. He’s done hundreds of cases involving child abuse and dioceses around America, so because of that, both parties reached out to him to see if he was willing to do the mediation process.”
Lujan added, “He’s a great mediator, so he should be able to resolve.”
Hogan will be on island from October 30 to November 3rd to address the claims, including those filed in the Superior Court of Guam. “Well we’re going to attempt address as much as possible. If more days are needed, more days will be used,” Terlaje added.
According to his website, Hogan retired as a judge to become a full-time mediator. He’s mediated thousands of disputes, including sexual abuse cases.
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