January 20, 2005

Diocese, lawyers still in negotiations

COVINGTON (KY)
The Cincinnati Post

By Paul A. Long
Post staff reporter

Attorneys for the Diocese of Covington and for those suing it in a multimillion-dollar, class-action lawsuit met behind closed doors with the judge for nearly two hours Wednesday before calling off a planned pre-trial hearing.

Stan Chesley, the lead attorney for those suing over the diocese's alleged cover-up of sexual abuse by its priests and other workers, pronounced himself pleased with the progress.

"There are many, many things that need to be done, and we are cautiously optimistic," Chesley told a group of more than two dozen victims and their families who were in Boone Circuit Court for the expected hearing. "There are ongoing discussions that are very important to us all."

Chesley would not detail the talks with Special Judge John Potter, and lawyers for the diocese had no comment.

While Chesley said the trial in the case is still scheduled for April 11, he said it could be delayed because of the on-going negotiations.

Posted by kshaw at January 20, 2005 07:41 AM