KENTUCKY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
BY JIM HANNAH | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER
A retired federal judge known for pioneering ways to settle disputes outside of court has taken a central role in the class-action lawsuit alleging the Covington Diocese covered up sexual abuse by its priests for decades.
Thomas Lambros, 76, of Ashtabula in northern Ohio, was appointed last week to help oversee the disbursement of an $85 million settlement to about 300 people who claim to have been abused. Lambros will report to the presiding judge in the case, John Potter of Louisville.
"Even though we are going to address the individual claims, it is also important the public is aware the judge, lawyers, Burleigh and I recognize the enormity of our responsibility," Lambros said.
Lambros will work with E.W. Scripps Co. Chairman William Burleigh to determine the amounts to be awarded each claimant, awards that could be as high as $1 million.
Burleigh was an original member of theAbuse Tracker Review Board, a 13-member panel of lay Catholics formed by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2002 to implement their new policy on handling priest sexual abuse.