July 05, 2005

Judge gives preliminary approval to settlement

KENTUCKY
WKYT

BURLINGTON, Ky. A judge has granted preliminary approval to a proposed 120 (m) million dollar class-action settlement between the Covington Diocese and alleged victims of abuse.

The approval means there will be 40 (m) million dollars immediately available from diocese assets. The victims and the diocese are suing two insurance companies for the remaining 80 (m) million dollars.

A final hearing over the settlement is scheduled for January Ninth. At that hearing, Circuit Judge John Potter can either approve or reject the payout to victims who made verified claims.

Potter's ruling today allows the church and the plaintiff's lawyers to begin advertising the settlement. It also sets a November Tenth deadline for claims to be filed.

Posted by kshaw at July 5, 2005 03:00 PM