LAFAYETTE (LA)
KLFY-TV, CBS 10 [Lafayette LA]
August 28, 2026
By Renee Allen
Reagan Charleston Thomas is an attorney representing sexual abuse survivors across the country, including dozens of clients in Louisiana. Thomas says The Diocese of Lafayette has not filed for bankruptcy and there is no indication that it will do so. However, she says the diocese has hired a prominent bankruptcy attorney for a filed case in Lafayette State Court. Attorneys representing sexual abuse survivors are concerned.
Reagan Charleston Thomas is an attorney representing sexual abuse survivors across the country, including dozens of clients in Louisiana. She highlighted the significance of the diocese bringing a bankruptcy attorney.
Thomas explained why the legal maneuver has drawn attention.
“The reason this is in the news and why I thought it was important to talk about, is because they brought a very well-known bankruptcy attorney into one of their filed cases in Lafayette State Court,” Thomas said. “And that particular attorney is very involved in the Diocese of Alexandria bankruptcy, as well as Catholic bankruptcies across the country.”
Thomas cited how the Archdiocese of New Orleans bankruptcy filing impacted survivors.
“That bankruptcy went on for over five years before the federal judge finally said, ‘Enough is enough. We have to do something or else I’m dismissing this bankruptcy,’” Thomas said.
Attorneys for survivors emphasize that legal actions are centered on responsibility rather than financial compensation.
“When I talk to attorneys for survivors of sexual abuse, it’s never about the money,” Thomas said. “These people are basically seeking their moment to tell their story and it’s about accountability. It’s about real, true justice.”
Thomas notes that if the Diocese of Lafayette files for bankruptcy, survivors will face another barrier in their push for a resolution.
“It’s just an opportunity for basically the wrongdoer to organize their finances,” Thomas said. “And it’s not about that. It’s not about making things right.”
All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KLFY. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat information into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KLFY staff before being published.