J
Jeffrey
Guest
[Updated 1:10 p.m. June 29] The Catholic Diocese of Sacramento has agreed to pay $35 million to 33 alleged victims of clergy sexual abuse.
The two sides reached the agreement Wednesday morning, a day before the first civil case was scheduled to go to trial. It is one of the largest settlements by the church, per plaintiff, in the nation.
The diocese made no admission of guilt in settling the cases, which involved 10 priests. The majority of cases involve the Rev. Mario Blanco, who was dismissed from Sacramento amid allegations but still has a church in Tacoma, Wash., where he is an independent, traditionalist priest.
“We’re pleased the survivors will now have the opportunity to get the help they need,” said Joseph George, who is representing the plaintiffs.
Under the settlement, the victims will receive an average of $1.1 million. The minimum paid out will be $400,000 while the most one victim will receive is $4.25 million, according to George.
The first payment of $15 million will be made Aug. 15. (The cases originally involved 34 plaintiffs, but one has died.)
“We’re pleased a settlement has been worked out,” said Kevin Eckery, spokesman for the diocese.
The Sacramento Diocese will not close schools or parishes in the wake of the settlement, officials said Wednesday. Insurance, loans and the sale of property are expected to raise the $35 million. For more details, return to sacbee.com or see Thursday’s Bee.
The two sides reached the agreement Wednesday morning, a day before the first civil case was scheduled to go to trial. It is one of the largest settlements by the church, per plaintiff, in the nation.
The diocese made no admission of guilt in settling the cases, which involved 10 priests. The majority of cases involve the Rev. Mario Blanco, who was dismissed from Sacramento amid allegations but still has a church in Tacoma, Wash., where he is an independent, traditionalist priest.
“We’re pleased the survivors will now have the opportunity to get the help they need,” said Joseph George, who is representing the plaintiffs.
Under the settlement, the victims will receive an average of $1.1 million. The minimum paid out will be $400,000 while the most one victim will receive is $4.25 million, according to George.
The first payment of $15 million will be made Aug. 15. (The cases originally involved 34 plaintiffs, but one has died.)
“We’re pleased a settlement has been worked out,” said Kevin Eckery, spokesman for the diocese.
The Sacramento Diocese will not close schools or parishes in the wake of the settlement, officials said Wednesday. Insurance, loans and the sale of property are expected to raise the $35 million. For more details, return to sacbee.com or see Thursday’s Bee.
