Six More Men File Lawsuits against the Archdiocese of Santa Fe

KOB
May 8, 2013

http://ru.scribd.com/doc/140322508/May8-2013-Press-Release

For more information, contact:

Attorney Brad D. Hall at 505.255.6300 or 505.400.1192 orbrad@bhallfirm.com Attorney Kelly Clark at 503.306.0224 or 503.407.7381 orkellyc@oandc.com

Albuquerque, New Mexico—

Six more former catholic youths have filed complaints against the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, for the alleged sexual abuse they suffered by a Catholic priest, Fr Michael O’Brien, who was assigned to several parishes in Northern New Mexicoduring the 1970's and 1980's. Four earlier suits were filed in April with similar allegations arising from O’Brien’s tenure at churches in Questa, Las Vegas, andTaos.The six new lawsuits, like the first four, allege that the Archdiocese was negligentin failing to properly screen, train, and supervise Fr. O'Brien, while fostering aculture that allowed pedophiles to flourish, resulting in the boys’ abuse. All six of the new complaints were filed in Bernallilo County by Albuquerqueattorney Brad D. Hall, who will associate on the cases with attorney Kelly Clark,of the Portland, Oregon law firm of O’Donnell Clark & Crew LLP. Hall remarked,"It is now clear that there are O'Brien victims spread over half the state, fromEstancia to Taos, from Penasco to Vegas to Questa. These six more suitsrepresent brave individuals who have come forward. They are hurting after yearsof silent suffering, and we believe we can get them to the professionals theyneed as a result of filing these claims for them.”

Kelly Clark, who has twenty years of representing victim of sexual abuse, stated,"These people often feel that they are ‘the only one,’ but then they come to learnthat there were others. Then they feel emboldened to speak out, and often totake steps to seek justice for themselves.”The six new suits are on behalf of men who range in age from their late thirties tomid 50’s, who all claim a similar pattern of abuse. The abuse of the boys rangedfrom molestation to rape, and was carried out on various occasions and