BishopAccountability.org
	Judge Approves $10 Million Settlement in Cases of Sexual Abuse by Tucson Diocese Priests By Sheryl Kornman Tucson Citizen [Tucson AZ] June 14, 2005 U.S. Bankruptcy Judge James Marlar yesterday approved a minimum $10 million settlement for 30 individuals seeking compensation from the Diocese of Tucson for sexual abuse by its clergy. Marlar overruled the sole objection to the settlement filed by a confidential claimant, saying it had no merit. The 28 settlement agreements for the 30 individuals must still be approved by creditors in the case. They will vote later this summer on an entire package of settlement agreements. However, votes are weighted, based on the amount of the proposed compensation in each case. The judge's acceptance of the 28 claims appears to indicate the diocese's current revised settlement proposal will be approved this summer and that payments could begin in August. The Unknown Claims Representative and Guardian Ad Litem have filed objections to 67 claims alleging abuse. Those two attorneys represent future claimants - adults with repressed memory or minors - who are expected to come forward in the next few years with claims of abuse. Their interest is in reducing the number of claimants now to ensure a significant fund for payouts to minors and adults who were unable to come forward by the April 15 deadline. Responses to the objections must be filed by June 17. A total of 103 claims for compensation have been filed in the bankruptcy case. Among the claimants in the settlements approved yesterday are three Yuma brothers and their mother, who is awaiting a liver transplant. Each of the youths is expected to receive at least $600,000 and likely more. The mother will receive a percentage of the award to her sons. Kim Williamson, who represents the family with attorney Lynne Cadigan, said the family looks forward to getting their money later this summer. The funds will not only provide an economic boost, but help the family members to move on with their lives, she said. "The settlement gives them acknowledgement" that the abuse occurred, Williamson said. Clifford B. Altfeld, a bankruptcy attorney advising Cadigan and Williamson in the Chapter 11 case, said it was the Yuma claimants that forced the diocese into bankruptcy. He said both sides had already been deposed in the case, which had been in court in litigation for two years at the time the diocese moved last September to resolve all pending abuse cases through Chapter 11 reorganization. Rev. Juan Guillen, the priest named by the boys as the abuser in the Yuma cases, is serving a 10-year prison sentence after accepting a plea deal in a criminal case against him.