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	Bishop's House Offer Being Questioned By Dustin Lemmon Quad-City Times [Davenport IA] April 25, 2007 http://www.qctimes.com/articles/2007/04/25/news/local/doc462ed79d0d460106037050.txt A local Realtor with clients interested in buying the bishop's former home has raised questions about the Diocese of Davenport's decision to sell the property to St. Ambrose University. Jill Slyter said she called the listing agent for 2761 Scott St. the second day it was on the market and was told they already had a buyer willing to pay the full price of $175,000. Slyter said she was upset to learn the diocese accepted an offer from the university for $170,100. The U.S. Bankruptcy court has yet to approve a motion authorizing the sale of the bishop's home and a single-family house at 803 E. 39th St. The diocese filed for bankruptcy last fall after facing mounting litigation from the victims of sexual abuse by priests. Davenport attorney Craig Levien, who has represented several victims of abuse, said he plans to refer Slyter's complaint to the attorneys representing a creditor's committee comprised of abuse victims. Slyter was told she might be called to testify. "The issue she presents brings into doubt that this was an arm's-length negotiation," Levien said, adding victims were assured it would be open for a full and public sale. Slyter said her clients weren't given a chance to make an offer, which she thinks is unfair. "I'm just mad because maybe I could have sold it, and my clients are upset because they feel like they were treated unfairly," she said. According to Matt Schwind, the listing agent, and Jane Kettering, a spokeswoman for St. Ambrose University, the school did not ask Schwind to act as a dual agent, so $4,900 was removed from the figure listed in court documents. The school will still be paying that amount to its own agent, Kettering said. Schwind said the $175,000 figure was determined by looking at sales of duplexes around Davenport during the past six to eight months. Schwind noted that it was public knowledge the bishop's home would be sold before it was listed on the market. "St. Ambrose came forward the first day with an offer, and it was a great offer," he said. "I think the diocese and the court went to great lengths to make sure everything was done by the book." Levien said the next hearing for the bankruptcy case is May 30. Dustin Lemmon can be contacted at (563) 383-2493 or dlemmon@qctimes.com. Comment on this story at www.qctimes.com.
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