MILWAUKEE (WI)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
By Annysa Johnson of the Journal Sentinel
Sept. 13, 2013
The Archdiocese of Milwaukee and its insurance companies may be poised to reach a settlement that could fast track a resolution of its nearly 3-year-old bankruptcy, but lawyers for sex abuse victims with claims against the church are objecting, saying any settlement talks must include victim-survivors.
The archdiocese has asked U.S. District Judge Rudolph T. Randa to stay its lawsuit against Stonewall Insurance Co. and others carriers for 60 days so the parties can enter mediation, a move that would presumably also put on hold Randa’s pending decision on whether the insurers are liable for sex abuse claims against the archdiocese.
Attorneys for victims oppose the stay, saying any delay would prejudice those creditors and that a definitive decision from Randa on the insurance question is needed to move the case forward.
“We need a decision on the insurance coverage to guide the parties,” said attorney Michael Finnegan, whose firm represents most of the 570-plus sex abuse victims with claims in the bankruptcy. “And we are concerned about any talks between the insurers and the archdiocese that do not include survivors.”
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