TUCSON (AZ)
phillyburbs.com
The Associated Press
TUCSON, Ariz. - The Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson has filed an amended bankruptcy organization plan, seeking to cap its payout for sex-abuse claims at $20 million. A plaintiffs' lawyer said the amount wasn't enough and vowed to challenge the proposal.
Initial payments to alleged abuse victims would range from $100,000 to $600,000, depending on the severity of the abuse, according to the amended plan filed Monday.
The bankruptcy court has logged 103 abuse claims against the diocese, which in September became the second in the country to file for Chapter 11 reorganization protection in the face of litigation stemming from alleged sexual abuse by priests.
Critics said the cap falls short of compensating victims whose claims are substantiated.
"It's nowhere near going to pay the victims what they deserve," said Kim E. Williamson, an attorney representing 25 alleged sex-abuse victims.
Posted by kshaw at April 27, 2005 09:15 AM