Boy Settles for $1.65m in McCormack Abuse Scandal Abused Boy Settles with Archdiocese for $1.65m, KMAQ, September 20, 2007

Boy Settles for $1.65m in McCormack Abuse Scandal
Abused Boy Settles with Archdiocese for $1.65m

KMAQ
September 20, 2007

http://www.nbc5.com/news/14159073/detail.html

Chicago — The first of several child molestation lawsuits against a Chicago priest has been settled following months of negotiations.

Video: Boy Settles

Now 15 years old, a West Side boy and his family will receive $1.65 million for the repeated sexual abuse he suffered at the hands of archdiocesan priest Fr. Daniel McCormack between 2001 and 2005 at St. Agatha Parish, where the boy attended parochial school.

Last July, McCormack pled guilty to child molestation after prosecutors alleged he assaulted one 11-year-old boy on a near-daily basis from September 2005 to January 2006. According to a news release, Cardinal Frances George kept the now embattled priest in the ministry despite several written and verbal warnings about

McCormack's behavior from a nun seven years ago.

"He wants the case over, he doesn't want to have to testify in civil court or criminal court," said Steven Dicker, the victim's attorney. "The family made a decision, after some negotiations went on, that this was a sufficient amount of money to take care of the boy."

NBC5's Mary Ann Ahern reported that the victim met McCormack at St. Agatha's when he was just 9 years old. The victim, who Dicker identified as currently being 15 years old, was a member of the basketball team that McCormack coached.

The Archdiocese of Chicago released a written statement said, "Every one of us at the archdiocese should do all in our power to ensure the safety and protection of children." The archdiocesan statement went on to say that "it is committed to addressing the needs of the victims through mediation without an extended legal process."

Some, however, raised questions, noting that with the Archdiocesan settlement, no one was held accountable, despite McCormack's past allegations dating back to the seminary.

"We don't know how many years this boy was made to suffer because of the inaction of Cardinal George," said Barbara Blaine of the Survivors Network of Those Abused By Priests. "We believe Cardinal George should be stepping down and he should remove himself from his position because of the betrayal to this boy and all the others."