Woman Reaches $1.1 Million Settlement in Priest Molestation Lawsuit

By Rob Polansky
WFSB
March 23, 2015

http://www.wfsb.com/story/28590627/woman-reaches-11-million-settlement-in-priest-molestation-lawsuit

A woman from Massachusetts settled a molestation lawsuit against the Catholic Diocese of Norwich and one of its former bishops.

The woman, only identified as Jane Doe #2, reached the $1.1 million settlement Monday, the day before a jury trial in the case was supposed to start, according to her attorneys.

Attorneys Bob and Kelly Reardon said the woman was molested 60 times between the ages of 3 and 16 by Father Thomas Shea.

They said she was kissed and fondled.

They also said Shea molested at least 15 girls in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Six other victims were prepared to testify.

All claimed that the church did nothing about the accusations.

“My client has suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression since childhood,” Kelly Reardon said. “She has been living her nightmare for over forty years. While recent psychological counseling has helped her to begin the road to recovery, she has a long way to go. This compensation she is finally receiving after nearly three years of litigation gives her a sense of vindication and the ability to continue the healing process.”

The diocese paid $1.1 million to another unidentified victim in 2013, according to the Reardons.

The Diocese of Norwich and Bishop Daniel Reilly were represented in both cases by Attorneys Gary Kaisen and Wesley Horton.