Key players, moments in priest sex-abuse cases

The Oregonian
April 13, 2007

http://blog.oregonlive.com/breakingnews/2007/04/key_players_moments_in_priest.html

Here are key players and developments in the priest sex-abuse cases against the Archdiocese of Portland:

1. Joe Elliott's lawsuit in December 1999 started a flood of priest sex-abuse litigation against the Portland Archdiocese.

2. Elliott's suit named the Rev. Maurice Grammond, a deceased priest accused of molesting about 60 boys between the 1950s and 1980s.

3. Attorneys Bill Barton (right) and David Slader were scheduled to go to trial in July 2004 in cases involving Grammond.

4. Archbishop John G. Vlazny's precedent-setting decision to seek Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection put a stop to the trial.

5. Lyle C. Velure, a Lane County circuit judge, was appointed one of two mediators in August 2006 -- two years into a bankruptcy proceeding that was not progressing quickly.

6. U.S. District Judge Michael R. Hogan, Velure's longtime mediation partner, helped broker a $75 million settlement announced in December 2006.

7. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Elizabeth L. Perris ruled today that she plan meets the requirements with one small change; she is expected to issue her final order Tuesday.