May 06, 2006

Sex-abuse suits proceed

DENVER (CO)
Denver Post

By Mike McPhee
Denver Post Staff Writer

Lawyers for alleged clergy-abuse victims say the 24 lawsuits already filed against the Roman Catholic Church in Colorado will go forward despite the legislature's rejection of an extended statute of limitations for sex-abuse victims.

"The existing lawsuits were brought before this legislation came about," said Jeff Anderson, a St. Paul, Minn., attorney who has sued dioceses across the country, including in Colorado. "This failure by public-policy makers will have no impact on the lawsuits. There are arguments around the statute of limitations we have right now."

Added Adam Horowitz, a Miami attorney who also has sued the church in Colorado on behalf of multiple clients, "The lawsuits against the Catholic Church will go forward, with or without the legislation."

Current law requires sexual-abuse lawsuits to be filed within six years of the victim turning 18.

Posted by kshaw at May 6, 2006 07:58 AM