LOS ANGELES (CA)
San Luis Obispo Tribune
LAURA WIDES
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES - A judge agreed Tuesday to release the files of 14 priests and one layperson from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange who were accused of sexual abuse. The files of eight other defendants were withheld.
The decision was heralded by alleged victims, who reached a record-breaking $100 million settlement with the diocese in December after nearly two years of negotiations.
As part of the agreement, the diocese agreed not to block the release of private files on the accused priests.
Superior Court Judge Peter Lichtman based his decision on what he called the state's "compelling interest in protecting children from abuse." He said, however, that he would not release the files of eight priests who contested the release.
Posted by kshaw at May 18, 2005 05:27 AM