June 11, 2020 / by Brett Katsma / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
A new law passed in the state of California provides victims with a window to file claims of childhood sexual abuse that were previously time barred. One man is taking advantage of that law and in February of 2020, filed a lawsuit against the Los Angeles Archdiocese. The victim alleges that Father Michael Baker sexually abused him repeatedly from age 6 to 10 years old and that the Cardinal at the time, Roger Mahoney, covered it up. The plaintiff’s attorney, John Manly, stated that the Cardinal tried to hide what was going on with Father Baker by transferring him to other parishes rather than reporting the criminal behavior to the police.
Read more
87 People Claim Sexual Abuse by Colorado Diocese Priests
June 30, 2020 / by Brett Katsma / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
In October of 2019 an Independent Compensation Program (ICP) in Colorado was finalized allowing those sexually abused as minors by clergy in the Dioceses of Denver, Colorado Springs and Pueblo the ability to file claims. The unveiling of the program coincided with the Attorney General of Colorado releasing the names 43 priests accused of sexual abuse within the Catholic Dioceses of Colorado.
Read more
Charlotte Dioceses Sued for Negligence; Claims Alleged Church Should have Known Priests were Predators
June 26, 2020 / by Brett Katsma / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
Last November, North Carolina legislators opened a 2-year ‘revival window’ allowing survivors of sexual abuse, whose claims were previously time barred, the ability to file a claim against their abusers. The new window has allowed two men, who remain anonymous, the ability to refile their claims after their original cases were dismissed in 2014. At that time, the diocese successfully argued that the claims were past their statute of limitations.
Read more
Priest Abuse Case Against Archdiocese of Los Angeles Settled for $1.9 million
June 24, 2020 / by Brett Katsma / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
Catholic priest Lawrence Lovell, or ‘Father Larry”, was at the center of a priest sex abuse case filed against the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the Claretian Missionaries which resulted in a $1.9 million dollar settlement. The victim, Richard Barrios, said the sexual abuse occurred from 1982-1984 when he was an altar boy at San Gabriel Mission Church.
Read more
Los Angeles Archdiocese Being Sued for Sexual Abuse by Adult Man
June 11, 2020 / by Brett Katsma / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
A new law passed in the state of California provides victims with a window to file claims of childhood sexual abuse that were previously time barred. One man is taking advantage of that law and in February of 2020, filed a lawsuit against the Los Angeles Archdiocese. The victim alleges that Father Michael Baker sexually abused him repeatedly from age 6 to 10 years old and that the Cardinal at the time, Roger Mahoney, covered it up. The plaintiff’s attorney, John Manly, stated that the Cardinal tried to hide what was going on with Father Baker by transferring him to other parishes rather than reporting the criminal behavior to the police.
Read more
Brentwood California Police Department Settles Sexual Assault Lawsuit for $1 Million
June 3, 2020 / by Brett Katsma / Sexual Abuse & Assault Lawsuits
In May 2019, a sexual assault lawsuit was filed against a former Brentwood police officer. The claim alleged that the victim was raped by her superior officer in September 2017 at a Reno hotel during a conference they were attending for police training. In November 2017 the woman filed an internal claim with the Brentwood police department. However, at the time, she did not pursue criminal charges citing a ‘fear it would be too much to handle emotionally’. When the Brentwood police chief and captain were made aware, they opened a “supervisory inquiry” instead of an internal affairs investigation.
Read more
Archdiocese of Chicago Settles Clergy Sex Abuse Claim for $8 million
June 3, 2020 / by Brett Katsma / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
In an out of court settlement, the Archdiocese of Chicago agreed to pay $8 million to settle a claim alleging sexual abuse of minor. The settlement stemmed from allegations of sexual abuse in the 1990’s between Rev. John Calicott and an undisclosed victim. At the survivor’s request, his identity was not made public. The accused priest of the Holy Angels Church, Rev. John Calicott, denied the allegations and sought the name of his accuser. His request was denied.
Read more