Judge rules Wisconsin church fraud cases can include punitive damages

Time for bishop’s self-defeating opposition to new legislation to end

Statement by John Pilmaier, SNAP Wisconsin Co-Director
CONTACT: 414.429.7259

The ruling today that punitive damages can be considered by juries in child sex abuse fraud cases filed against Green Bay bishops needs to be understood in the context of previous rulings that these settlements cannot be covered by insurance. Does this mean that parishioners will be left to shoulder the consequences of their bishop’s fraudulent acts?

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Not so, according to a Milwaukee judge ruling in similar cases in Milwaukee County (see link below). A reform which would grandfather in a onetime only and time limited change in the civil statutes proposed by the Child Victims Act (SB319/AB453 ), currently under serious consideration by state lawmakers, could bring in much needed insurance coverage for these cases.

Yet, inexplicably, Archbishop Listecki has been leading a confused and ill advised charge to defeat this legislation. Why? Because the very same bill would also lead to the discovery of even deeper layers of criminal conduct and cover up by church officials. But bishops saving themselves from exposure and embarrassment is not a good enough reason to stop badly needed insurance coverage. After all, haven’t parishes and other religious institutions been paying their fair share of premiums and other costs over the years?

It’s time for Listecki and his brother bishops to start fighting insurance carriers instead of victims and end their expensive and self sabotaging lobbying campaign against the Child Victims Act.

And let’s hope that everyone who has been hurt by Fr. Feeney and any child sex predator take courage form the brave example of the long struggle of the Merryfield brothers and their family as they continue to press for justice, transparency and accountability.

SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims in the United Sates, founded in 1989 with over 9,000 members with chapters nationwide (SNAPnetwork.org).

–On Judge Krueger’s previous decision: http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/l...61105_rev1

–On Judge DiMotto’s Decision in Milwaukee (see last section): http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwauke...16269.html



http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/m...ve-damages

Merryfields can seek punitive damages

Claim Catholic diocese knew of priest abuse

Updated: Friday, 12 Feb 2010, 2:48 PM CST
Published : Friday, 12 Feb 2010, 2:48 PM CST

APPLETON - A judge ruled Troy and Todd Merryfield can seek punitive damages for what they believe was an intentional cover-up of abuse by the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay.

In 2004, former priest John Patrick Feeney was convicted of sexually assaulting the brothers in 1978, when they were teenagers. He is serving a 15-year prison sentence.

The Merryfields claim the diocese knew about abuse by Feeney and covered it up. They say they want to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

Attorneys for the Merryfields have 10 days to submit a new complaint. The amount of punitive damages will be decided by jury at a later trial.

The next hearing is scheduled for April.

http://reform-network.net/?p=2600