NAPLES (FL)
Sun-Sentinel
The Associated Press
Posted March 5 2005, 5:53 PM EST
Three sexual misconduct cases against a former Catholic priest have been settled in recent months for $1.5 million, the victims' lawyer said.
Five lawsuits are known to have been filed against William Romero, who served at the St. Ann parish in Naples during the mid-1970s and the Archdiocese of Miami. But attorney Ted Zelman said more victims would be found had archdiocese officials conducted a full investigation.
``I believe they acknowledge what had happened,'' Zelman said. ``But as far as really accepting their culpability, that didn't occur.''
Church officials say they've exhausted efforts to root out potential Romero victims and their investigations are shut.
Romero, 68, retired in 1995 and resigned from the clergy in 2003 after allegations resurfaced.