BURLINGTON (VT)
WCAX
BURLINGTON, Vt. -- A lawsuit filed by a former altar boy who claimed he was sexually abused by a Catholic priest in the 1970s was settled Wednesday for $965,000 as the case was due to go to trial.
Michael Gay, 38, of South Burlington had claimed that Father Edward Paquette sexually abused him as an altar boy from age 10 to 12 at Christ the King Catholic Church in Burlington in 1977 and 1978.
"The Diocese of Burlington expressed deep sympathy and regret for this very sad situation and for all whose lives have been affected by (it) and who have suffered through this terrible ordeal," the diocese said in a statement
News reports said it was the largest settlement in a priest-abuse case in state history.
As part of the settlement, the church acknowledged it failed to take action against Paquette after being warned about his actions.
Posted by kshaw at April 19, 2006 03:43 PM