Los Angeles Archdiocese Settlement

On July 16, 2007, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles reached a settlement of over 500 lawsuits related to sexual abuse scandals. The $660 million settlement, announced one day prior to jury selection, is the largest payout since clerical abuse cases became public in 2002.

Fast Facts

1. Settlement amount: $660 million
2. 242 plaintiffs
3. Prosecuting attorney: Raymond P. Boucher
4. Settles all cases in the Los Angeles diocese
5. Sexual abuse lawsuits have costs U.S. Roman Catholic churches $2 billion since 1950¹
6. The Vatican does not contribute to settlements
7. 5 diocese filed for bankruptcy protection:
   1. Tucson, Arizona
   2. Spokane, Washington
   3. Portland, Oregon
   4. Davenport, Iowa
   5. San Diego, California
8. Los Angeles archdiocese considered selling over 50 properties to raise funds for the settlement

Day in Court

Despite the record payout, some plaintiffs were disappointed that they would not have their day in court. After being questioned as to what he would do with any settlement money Steven Sanchez replied, "Where can you take that check and cash it that will make you 10 years old again?"²

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