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	Deluca Owes $30 Million in Punitive Damages; St. E's $1 By Amy Cherry WDEL December 8, 2010 http://www.wdel.com/story.php?id=613855876681 [with audio] John Vai's priest sex abuse trial against defrocked priest Francis DeLuca and St. Elizabeth's parish wraps up. WDEL's Amy Cherry reports. Audio Here The jury ordered DeLuca to pay Vai $30 million in punitive damages. That's in addition to the $27 million they've already ordered DeLuca to pay. St. Elizabeth's Parish in Wilmington was found reckless and ordered to pay one dollar in punitive damages, adding to the $3 million they already owe Vai. Vai's attorney Steve Neuberger says this verdict sends a clear message. "This verdict is a resounding victory for survivors childhood sexual abuse that if you put your head in the sand and allow children to be sexually abused, there will be consequences. St. Elizabeth's employees, including Diocese of Wilmington Vicar General Tom Cini recklessly put children in danger. St. Elizabeth's sole defense was a plea for mercy, begging the jury not to punish the current students in the schools for the wrongs of the priest employees." The total amount due to Vai is $60 million -- though Neuberger says Vai won't likely ever see a dime from DeLuca. He tells WDEL the principle of joint liability won't likely apply in this case. But he says the important thing is that the truth is out and the message has been sent.
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