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	Judge Considers Archdiocese Bankruptcy Plan Associated Press, carried in East Oregonian April 12, 2007 http://www.eastoregonian.info/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=61245&SectionID=13&SubSectionID=&S=1 Portland (AP) - The judge overseeing the first bankruptcy in the nation filed by a Roman Catholic diocese said Tuesday she expects to decide whether to approve the plan by the end of the week. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Elizabeth Perris heard only one objection to the reorganization plan for the Archdiocese of Portland during final arguments over a proposed $75 million settlement for alleged victims of sexual abuse by priests. Paul and Deborah DuFresne claim their son, Nathan, suffered emotional distress after being labeled a bully and expelled from St. Thomas More school in Portland. But Thomas Stilley, an attorney for the archdiocese, noted the case does not involve sexual abuse. He also argued there is more than enough money set aside - at least $3.8 million - for unsettled lawsuits, and the DuFresne case is the only one left. The attorney for the DuFresnes, Douglas Cushing, argued the plan should not be approved because a jury could award larger damages. But a federal judge recently estimated the DuFresne case was worth only about $100,000 while his parents likely would get nothing if it went to trial.
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