ABC 30 [Fresno CA]
May 5, 2007
http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=local&id=5275221
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A former altar boy and the priest he accuses of molesting him will reach a settlement the public will never know about.
Juan Rocha and Holy Spirit priest Eric Swearingen will enter binding arbitration, according to the Fresno Bee.
Their attorneys agreed to keep the outcome a secret.
Rocha claims Father Swearingen molested him when Rocha stayed with the priest at churches in Bakersfield and Fresno between 15 and 20 years ago.
The Catholic Diocese argued that Rocha has a history of lying.
In December, a jury decided Swearingen did molest Rocha, but did not agree that the church ignored the abuse.
The case could have gone to a new trial this month, but now, an arbitrator will decide the case privately.
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