WINONA (MN)
Rochester Post Bulletin [Rochester MN]
June 20, 2025
By Olivia Estright
In a statement, the Diocese said the court actions were “known and anticipated by the parties and stem from insurance issues that were addressed in the Bankruptcy of the Diocese.”
The Diocese of Winona has been named in three personal injury lawsuits filed this year, all alleging sexual misconduct from more than 50 years ago.
The most recent complaints were filed Friday, June 6, in Winona County District Court. However, according to the date the complaints were originally drafted, the lawsuits have been in the works for over nine years.
The cases are the results of the Minnesota Child Victims Act of 2013, which lifted the statute of limitations on past claims of child sexual abuse for a three-year period that ended in August 2016. More than 100 claims of child sexual abuse by clergy arose after the act was passed.
The three complaints filed in 2025 were signed in March and May 2016. Two of the cases allege sexual misconduct by Sylvester Brown and Harold Mountain, two priests with previous sexual abuse allegations filed against them.
In a statement, the Diocese said the filings were “known and anticipated by the parties and stem from insurance issues that were addressed in the Bankruptcy of the Diocese.”
“On Oct. 14, 2021, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Minnesota confirmed a Plan of Reorganization for the Diocese. The Plan provided for a substantial trust to compensate survivors of sexual abuse within the Diocese,” the statement continued.
The trust was funded with more than $22 million of Diocesan assets, and insurance coverage settlements of $6.5 million.
“This plan was jointly submitted to the Court by the Diocese and the Committee of Unsecured Creditors, who represent the survivors of sexual abuse. The funds contributed by the Diocese toward the negotiated settlement fully satisfied the Diocese’s financial obligation owed to the Settlement Trust,” the Diocese said.
According to the complaints, each case alleges three counts relating to negligence and demands payment for the damages in excess of $50,000.
The unnamed plaintiffs are referred to as Doe 221, Doe 257 and Doe 276. In addition to the Diocese of Winona, the complaints name St. Casimir’s Catholic Church in Wells, Minnesota; Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Blue Earth, Minnesota; and Cotter High School in Winona, Minnesota.
The first complaint filed against the Diocese claims that Tom Bork, a former Cotter High School teacher employed by the Diocese of Winona, molested Doe 276 when they were 15 or 16. The alleged sexual contact having occurred from 1972 to 1973.
According to court documents, the district judge dismissed the claims against Cotter High School with prejudice in April. A pretrial hearing for the case is scheduled for May 22, 2026, in Olmsted County District Court.
The second case opened this year was filed in Winona County. It claimed that Harold Mountain, a now-deceased priest at St. Casimir’s Catholic Church, sexually abused Doe 221 when they were 7 or 8. The child was a parishioner, student and participant in church activities.
The alleged abuse occurred from 1968 to 1969, the complaint said.
The second complaint in Winona County involves Doe 257, who claims Sylvester Brown, a priest at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, molested him when he was 13. The alleged abuse occurred around 1974, according to the complaint.
The complaints were filed by Jeff Anderson of Jeff Anderson & Associates. The law firm represents survivors of clergy abuse.
“While the Diocese cannot comment on the facts related to this matter, we pray for a just resolution for all of those involved,” the statement from the Diocese concluded. “The Diocese remains steadfast in its commitment to healing and justice for all survivors.”
Those experiencing sexual exploitation can call a 24-hour crisis line at 507-289-0636 to speak to someone who can direct you towards help.