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	Timeline of Priest Abuse Settlements, Documents Connecticut Post December 1, 2009 http://www.connpost.com/ci_13900724 The following is a chronology of events in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport concerning sexual abuse by priests: Jan. 4, 1993 Sharon See and Brian Freibott file suit in Bridgeport Superior Court against the Diocese of Bridgeport, claiming they were sexually abused by the Rev. Raymond Pcolka when they were children at Holy Name of Jesus Church in Stratford. Feb. 16, 1993 Eleven more people claiming abuse by Pcolka file suit against the Bridgeport diocese. May 1994 The diocese pays $250,000 to two men who claimed they were sexually abused by the Rev. Laurence Brett in Sacramento, Calif., in the mid-1960s. Brett was working there with permission of the Bridgeport diocese. Aug. 26, 1997 New Haven federal court jury awards $750,000 to former altar boy Frank Martinelli, who claimed he was sexually abused by Brett at a Stamford church in the early 1960s. The diocese later agrees to settle case for an undisclosed sum. Oct. 7, 1997 Deposition taken from then-Bishop Edward Egan. March 4, 1998 The diocese settles a lawsuit by a man who claims he was sexually abused by the Rev. Gavin O'Connor at a Shelton church in 1977. May 24, 1999 The diocese settles a suit by a man who claimed he was sexually abused by the Rev. Martin Federici in 1983. Nov. 24, 1999 All abuse lawsuits against the diocese are moved to Superior Court in Waterbury. March 9, 2001 The diocese agrees to pay about $15 million to 24 people who claimed to have been abused by priests in the diocese since the 1970s. May 2002 Waterbury Superior Court Judge Robert McWeeney orders documents unsealed. Jan. 6, 2003 The diocese appeals McWeeney's decision to the state Appellate Court, which rules that records can remain sealed. Oct. 16, 2003 The diocese agrees to pay $21 million to 40 people who claimed they were abused by 16 priests since 1960s. Nov. 4, 2005 State Supreme Court overturns Appellate Court and sends case back to lower court for a round of new hearings. May 26, 2009 State Supreme Court rules sex-abuse documents should be unsealed. Aug. 28, 2009 Diocese appeals to U.S. Supreme Court. Oct. 5, 2009 U.S. Supreme Court refuses to block release of documents.
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