Updated: CA Supreme Court: LA Archdiocese Must Turn over Priest Files

By Joelle Casteix
Worthy Adversary
October 10, 2012

http://theworthyadversary.com/1483-breaking-decision-expected-today-on-la-priest-files

A huge decision is expected today from the California Supreme Court regarding the confidential abuse and cover-up files of 25 known offending priests. The priests were a part of the 2007 $660 million LA Archdiocese settlement with more than 500 victims of child sexual abuse.

The archdiocese and Cardinal Mahony agreed to turn over the files as a part of the settlement. They have spent the past 5 years fighting that agreement.

If victims win the decision, the trial court order requires files to be released immediately. Kudos to victims’ attorney Anthony DeMarco, who has continued fighting for the non-monetary demands of victims – demands far more important than the money. The archdiocese showed its hand – they were more than happy to pay the settlement, but when it came to real accountability, they have played hardball for five years in the hopes of going back on their legal agreement.

Here are the names of the priests whose files must be turned over if victims win the decision:

Michael Buckley

Santiago Tamayo

Kevin Barmasse

Angel Cruces

Donald Patrick Roemer

Peter Garcia

Cristobal Garcia

Lawrence Lovell

John Salazar

Matthew Sprouffske

Lynn Cafoe

Michael Baker

John Dawson

Gerald Fessard

Michael Wempe

Carlos Rene Rodriguez

James Ford

Richard Allen Henry

Michael Nocita

Luis Jaramillo

George Neville Rucker

George Miller

Eleuterio Ramos

Benjamin Hawkes

Fidencio Silva