ALBANY (NY)
Record
Five victims of clergy sexual abuse each received tens of thousands of dollars under a program that investigates abuse allegations and provides financial assistance to victims.
Retired state Court of Appeals Judge Howard Levine, who heads the program, declined to release the names of the priests involved but said none are in active ministry.
"I think the victims are satisfied, and I think the diocese is satisfied," Levine said Friday. He would not provide details about specific settlement amounts.
A $5.2 million fund is available to pay church abuse victims. The five victims are the first to be compensated by the program. Another 25 claims are pending.