Tentative settlement reached in lawsuit involving KC priest convicted of child pornography

KANSAS CITY (MO)
The Kansas City Star

October 2

BY JUDY L. THOMAS
The Kansas City Star

Days before the case was to go to trial, the Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese has tentatively settled a second civil lawsuit involving a priest convicted of producing child pornography.

The lawsuit, filed in Jackson County Circuit Court against the diocese, the Rev. Shawn Ratigan and Bishop Robert Finn by a minor girl and her parents, was resolved this week, the attorney for the girl’s family said Wednesday.

It is the third settlement involving allegations of sexual abuse by a priest in five months. The previous cases resulted in settlements totaling nearly $3 million.

“There’s a tentative agreement, but we can’t discuss any of the terms until the court approves the settlement, because a minor is involved,” said Rebecca Randles, the plaintiffs’ attorney.

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