San Diego Diocese offers $95 million plan to settle sex abuse cases

Published: 2007-04-03

SAN DIEGO (CNS) -- In a bankruptcy reorganization plan filed March 28, the San Diego Diocese proposed a $95 million pool to compensate 143 people who claim childhood sexual abuse by priests. Under the proposal 83 victims who say they were forced to have sexual intercourse could receive up to $800,000 each. Forty-four who claim they were touched sexually or forced to masturbate could receive between $176,000 and $575,000. Payments to 16 victims of abuse not involving touch, such as being asked to look at pornography or posing for indecent pictures, could range from $10,000 to $175,000. Besides the different levels of seriousness of the abuse, factors in determining the amount of each award would include such elements as the age of the victim and the duration and frequency of the abuse. In addition, the diocese proposed establishing a $3 million fund to settle any currently unknown claims that might be brought forward in coming years. Lead plaintiff's attorney Ray Boucher called the diocesan proposal "outrageous" and predicted "a long and expensive battle." Susan Boswell, bankruptcy attorney for the San Diego Diocese, said she considered the $95 million proposal realistic.

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