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	Man Seeking Punitive Damages against Former Diocese of Winona Priest Accused of Sexual Abuse By Kevin Behr Winona Daily News January 12, 2008 http://www.winonadailynews.com/articles/2008/01/12/news/01lead.txt A man accusing a former Diocese of Winona priest of sexually abusing him in the early 1980s will be allowed to seek punitive damages in a civil lawsuit, a Ramsey County District Court judge ordered this week. The suit was brought in 2006 by a man labeled "John Doe 76C," who alleges Thomas Adamson sexually abused him between 1980 and 1982 at an Apple Valley, Minn., church. The victim was an altar boy at the time. The suit also accuses the Diocese of Winona and the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis of negligence and fraud for not stopping a pedophile priest. The ruling by Ramsey County District Judge Kathleen Gearin on Thursday is the second time one of Adamson's victims has been allowed to sue for punitive damages, said St. Paul lawyer Jeffrey Anderson, who is representing the plaintiff. Anderson successfully brought one victim's case to trial and won a $2.7 million verdict against the Diocese of Winona. The diocese paid a significantly lesser amount after an appeal. Because damages in the 2006 case would be from the same defendant for essentially the same conduct, constitutional issues have been raised. The current plaintiff was not involved in the first case and should be given a chance to argue for damages at trial, Gearin's memorandum explained. "This is an extraordinary breakthrough," Anderson said. Allowing plaintiffs to seek punitive damages in cases involving priests "just hasn't happened very often," he said. Dennis McGrath, communications director for the Archdiocese, said the judge's decision stated there was merely enough evidence to merit seeking punitive damages. He said it would take "a great deal of work" at trial to justify payment of damages. Adamson was a priest in the Winona diocese from 1958 to 1975. As early as 1964, Adamson admitted to having sexual contact with boys under his supervision. He remained with the Diocese of Winona until 1975 when he was transferred to the Archdiocese in the Twin Cities to receive treatment for his behavior. Rose Hammes, spokesperson for the Diocese of Winona, declined to comment on the case. A "significant amount of money" has been paid by the Archdiocese through settlements regarding Adamson's conduct, McGrath said. Adamson, now in his 70s, was removed from the priesthood in 1984 after several lawsuits revealed a long history of abuse during his 25 years as a priest. "Adamson has been our chief offender," McGrath said. "There's no question. He's a bad example of a priest." Contact Kevin Behr at kbehr@winonadailynews.com or (507) 453-3524.
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