GUAM
Pacific Daily News
Haidee V Eugenio , heugenio@guampdn.com
Feb. 13, 2017
U.S. District Court of Guam Magistrate Judge Joaquin Manibusan on Friday granted a request by the Archdiocese of Agana for more time, or up to March 10, 2017, to respond to the 16 clergy abuse cases filed in federal court.
Gov. Eddie B. Calvo on Sept. 23, 2016, signed a bill into law, eliminating the statute of limitations on lawsuits against those who accused of abusing children, as well as the institutions that supported them.
That law paved the way for 16 former altar boys to sue the church and priests over alleged clergy sexual abuse from decades ago. Each lawsuit demands a jury trial and a minimum of $5 million in damages, for a combined total of $80 million, plus attorney’s fees and other costs.
The lawsuits originally were filed in the Superior Court of Guam, but were refiled in federal court after most Superior Court judges recused themselves, citing conflicts of interest.
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