February 05, 2005

5 clergy abuse victims get cash from diocese

ALBANY (NY)
Albany Times Union

By MICHELE MORGAN BOLTON, Staff writer
First published: Saturday, February 5, 2005

ALBANY -- Five victims of clergy sexual abuse have each been paid tens of thousands of dollars to settle claims against the Albany Roman Catholic Diocese, the first to be compensated through an independent mediation program.

"I think the victims are satisfied and I think the diocese is satisfied," said Howard Levine, the retired Court of Appeals associate judge who oversees the program created last fall.

Even as these settlements are announced, another 25 claims are being investigated and a victims advocacy group is seeking to extend a Feb. 20 deadline to apply for the program.

Levine declined to release the names of the five priests involved in these cases, but said none are in active ministry. He also declined to discuss specific settlement amounts, but noted that several were "substantial."

Posted by kshaw at February 5, 2005 06:35 AM