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	Phone Calls from Diocese Attorneys Upset Some Alleged Victims The Associated Press, carried in Seattle Post-Intelligencer June 10, 2006 http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420AP_WA_Diocese_Phone_Calls.html SPOKANE, Wash. -- Attorneys for the Spokane Catholic Diocese have been calling people who claim they were victims of clergy sex abuse, asking them if they want cash, counseling, an apology, or something else. It's upset some victims and attorneys, who argue that some of the diocese's questions are inappropriate and intimidating. Critics also worry that the diocese is pushing lowball settlement offers - some in the range of $5,000 to $10,000 - at a time when Bishop William Skylstad has offered other victims an average of more than a half-million dollars each. Diocese attorneys say they have to make the calls to weigh the veracity of claims and better understand how much the diocese might owe. The calls are being made to a group of claimants who were not included in a $45.7 million settlement offer the diocese reached with 75 victims. U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Patricia Williams rejected that offer three weeks ago, saying all claimants must be treated equitably. Most of those excluded from the settlement do not have legal representation, but roughly 25 do, and their attorneys have encouraged them to sit down and negotiate with the diocese. Attorney Tim Kosnoff, a frequent diocese critic, is representing the vast majority of the 75 victims included in the settlement, plus some of the second group of victims. He said he's encouraged by the diocese's willingness to settle with victims. "From what I can see, the diocese is now trying to do the right thing," he said. "The sooner the universe of claims is known and liquidated, the sooner the bankruptcy will be over." However, another attorney in the bankruptcy case, Joe Shickich, is warning his clients to be on their guard when dealing with the diocese. "We're telling people they don't have to talk to the diocese," said Shickich. "We hope that the outcome of this case is a plan of reorganization that treats everyone fairly. That's not going to happen if the diocese is talking to just this person or that person." Steve Denny, who has a claim filed against the diocese and is not represented by a lawyer, said he was offended by the diocese phone calls and probing questions. He complained to Shickich, who followed up by sending alleged victims a letter about the phone calls. Shickich referred to the diocese as an adversary of victims in the case and encouraged them to speak with caution and seek legal advice. Diocese attorney Greg Arpin rejected the notion that anyone has been pressured and insisted the calls are handled with compassion. He declined to say if any victims signed settlement offers and defended the diocese's right to call. "If a person has filed a claim, they want something," Arpin said. "We're trying to find out what that is. "If they want to settle for $5,000 or peppercorn, that's their right. We're not forcing anything down their throats." Diocese attorney Shaun Cross said some victims appreciate the calls. If someone asks about hiring an attorney, Cross and Arpin said the questioning stops. The diocese has the right to pursue individual settlements because the bankruptcy judge only needs to approve the total amount spent to settle claims, not the specifics of each. Some of the victims and their lawyers argue the settlement rejected last month is not dead, but merely shelved until it can be squeezed into a plan of reorganization later this year. Meanwhile, parishes and attorneys representing victims left out of that agreement have filed a separate bankruptcy plan that would require equal treatment of claimants rather than a collection of differing settlements. Despite the bishop's recent efforts to settle with some victims, many still don't trust the diocese, said Molly Harding, a leader in the local Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. The reality, however, is that many victims are worn out and fear the diocese may mistreat them. "Given the fact that we don't know where all the money was going to come from, the whole thing is confusing and painful to victims," Harding said.
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