June 15, 2005

Judge OKs settlement of 30 sex-abuse claims against Tucson Diocese

TUCSON (AZ)
The Arizona Republic

Arthur H. Rotstein
Associated Press
Jun. 15, 2005 12:00 AM

TUCSON - A judge approved a settlement Tuesday for 25 victims of clergy sex abuse and five parents, paving the way for approval of a reorganization plan in the Catholic Diocese of Tucson's bankruptcy case.

Nearly $9.8 million would be paid in the initial distribution from the diocese if creditors approve the plan and U.S. Bankruptcy Judge James Marlar confirms it, possibly next month.

Marlar on Tuesday approved an agreement to settle tort claims stemming from lawsuits alleging sex abuse by priests that had been in process before the diocese's bankruptcy filing last September. advertisement

The cases drove the diocese to seek Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization protection shortly after the Archdiocese of Portland, Ore., became the first in the nation to do so.

Posted by kshaw at June 15, 2005 04:15 AM