Lawsuit over $60 Million Gift to Legion of Christ in Court

By Michelle R. Smith
Providence Journal
December 9, 2014

http://www.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/content/20141209-lawsuit-over-60-million-gift-to-legion-of-christ-in-court.ece

Rhode Island Supreme Court justices are raising questions about the conduct of a disgraced Roman Catholic order, but they also are expressing doubts that lawsuits against the order will be able to move forward.

Justices heard arguments Tuesday in a case over $60 million given to the Legion of Christ.

Mary Lou Dauray says her late aunt, Gabrielle Mee, would not have given the money if she knew its founder secretly fathered three children and molested seminarians. She says her aunt was manipulated into donating.

The Legion argued that Dauray does not have standing to sue. A superior court judge agreed in 2012, and threw her lawsuits out.

On Tuesday, justices pointed out that the superior court judge had been critical of the Legion's conduct with Mee.

A decision is expected later.