TUCSON (AZ)
Fox 11
By Stephanie Innes / Arizona Daily Star
Settlements for 30 people who filed claims of sexual abuse against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson were approved by federal bankruptcy Judge James M. Marlar on Tuesday morning.
The settlements represent nearly $10 million in initial disbursements, which will be paid if the diocese's Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan is approved. Creditors must cast votes on whether to approve the plan by July 1. Confirmation hearings are set for July 11-15.
Twenty-nine of the 30 people who settled Tuesday are represented by Tucson attorneys Lynne M. Cadigan and Kim E. Williamson, who in 2002 reached a $14 million settlement with the diocese on behalf of 10 men who said they were sexually molested by four members of the local clergy during the 1960s, '70s and '80s.
"Our goal is to get our clients money as quickly as possible," Williamson said. "But you cannot put a value on the damage they suffered."
Posted by kshaw at June 14, 2005 05:36 PM