SPOKANE (WA)
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
By JOHN K. WILEY
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
SPOKANE -- A federal judge Thursday rejected a $45.7 million settlement negotiated with victims of sexual abuse in the bankruptcy of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Spokane.
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Patricia Williams threw out the settlement during a telephone conference hearing. The judge strongly urged the dozens of lawyers representing the diocese, victims, parishes and other parties to enter into mediation.
Shaun Cross, a Spokane lawyer representing the diocese, said portions of the settlement, including a schedule of payment for victims, would be kept in a final bankruptcy plan.
"I think the elements of the settlement we proposed with the 75 victims still have merit. The judge clearly found concerns with some elements," he said.