BishopAccountability.org
	Judge: Diocese Can Keep Victims' Names Secret By Shirley Ragsdale Des Moines Register October 27, 2006 http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061027/NEWS/61027020/1001/NEWS A federal bankruptcy judge has approved the Diocese of Davenport's request to keep secret the names of abuse victims during bankruptcy proceedings. Judge Lee M. Jackwig this week ordered that the names of claimants be kept under seal. And as new claims come forward, new names may be added to the list the diocese is compiling. "We have a list and we are giving each name a number," said Richard A. Davidson, attorney for the diocese. "The claimants will be referred to by the number rather than their name in bankruptcy court." Some of the men who have alleged they were abused by Davenport diocesan priests have sued the diocese using a pseudonym. Those identified as John Doe I through VII were among the 37 claimants who in October 2004 settled with the diocese for $9 million. Since then, more men have come forward and in a lawsuit naming the diocese and retired Sioux City Bishop Lawrence Soens. Among those are 11 identified as John Doe 8 through 18. "Those claimants will have the same number as they had in state district court," Davidson said. Craig Levien, attorney for the more than two dozen individuals with child sex abuse claims against the diocese, said he did not oppose keeping the names under seal.
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