Norwich Priest Abuse Lawsuit Results in $1.1 Million Settlement

By Christian Nolan
Connecticut Law Tribune
March 23, 2015

http://www.ctlawtribune.com/home/id=1202721378643/Norwich-Priest-Abuse-Lawsuit-Results-in-11-Million-Settlement?mcode=1381212728559&curindex=1&slreturn=20150224042606

A Massachusetts woman who claims she was sexually abused by a priest in Norwich has settled her lawsuit against the Diocese of Norwich for $1.1 million.

A woman known only as Jane Doe No. 2 in court records claims she was molested about 60 times from ages 3 to 16 by the Rev. Thomas Shea, a parish priest in the diocese. Years later, she sued the diocese and its former bishop Daniel Reilly.

At least 15 young girls claim to have been molested by Shea in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, according to Doe's lawyers, Kelly and Robert Reardon, of The Reardon Law Firm in New London. Six other victims were prepared to testify that they had been molested by Shea and had complained to church officials but nothing was done about it.

The Norwich Diocese paid $1.1 million to another victim, known as Jane Doe No. 1, in 2013. The Reardon lawyers represented that woman as well.

In the latest case, the two sides went to mediation last week for three days before Superior Court Judge William Bright. A trial was set to begin Tuesday, March 24, had the settlement not been reached.