PITTSBURGH (PA)
Tribune Review
Nov. 19, 2019
By Tom Davidson
The Pittsburgh Diocese can’t use an $8 million trust fund intended to help needy boys to pay victims of clergy sexual abuse, an Allegheny County judge has ordered.
Judge Lawrence O’Toole issued a three paragraph order last week dismissing the diocesan request to use the 120-year-old Toner Trust that’s valued at more than $8 million to pay claims filed with the Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program on the diocese.
Diocesan spokeswoman Ellen Mady and its attorney, Robert Ridge, didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.
The attempt to use the trust fund to settle abuse claims was opposed by Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro in Allegheny County Orphan’s Court.
“The Pittsburgh diocese unlawfully attempted to use the Toner Trust to avoid transparency and accountability. Clergy abuse victims deserve better. That’s why we went to court to stop the diocese and successfully block this unlawful misuse of charitable funds,” Shapiro said in a statement.
The trust was left to the diocese by Westmoreland County farmer and politician James L. Toner of Derry Township.
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