PATERSON (NJ)
Star-Ledger
Thursday, February 10, 2005
BY JEFF DIAMANT
Star-Ledger Staff
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson has quietly settled a clergy sex abuse lawsuit involving allegations from 27 victims -- most of them against one priest over a 14-year period.
One plaintiff who asked not to be named said the main lawyer for the victims told him the diocese agreed to pay about $5 million to be divided in different amounts among the litigants. The church also agreed to provide up to four years of counseling for each plaintiff.
Lawyers in the case and Paterson Bishop Arthur Serratelli declined to comment on the exact settlement amount.
Serratelli said only that "my understanding is that we're moving toward a settlement, and that if there's any announcement it'll be made by the plaintiffs."