Diocese of San Jose Sexual Abuse Attorney

On April 2nd, 2019, the Diocese of San Jose completed its Disclosure List by adding more names, bringing the total number of clergy members accused of engaging in the sexual abuse of minors in the Diocese to 19. Several of these allegations include statements against the Diocese of San Jose for covering up and facilitating abuse.

At Manly, Stewart & Finaldi, we take cases involving clergy sexual abuse extremely seriously. We do not tolerate clergy abuse or dioceses covering it up in California. Our lawyers have devoted their lives to obtaining justice for survivors. If you or someone you love is a survivor, please contact us right away to discuss your case. We can keep your identity anonymous.

Why Clients Choose Us

  • We are one of the country’s leading sexual assault law firms.
  • We are not afraid of bringing religious institutions to trial.
  • We have obtained more than $2 billion collectively for our clients.
  • We have an award-winning lead attorney with more than 20 years of experience.
  • We offer passionate, aggressive representation to clergy abuse survivors.

Do You Need an Attorney?

Many accusations involving clergy abuse in the Diocese of San Jose have involved claims that the Diocese itself knew about the incidents yet failed to call the police, take action or even suspend the priest in question in some cases. In these situations, the survivor may have a claim against the Diocese. Going up against such a large religious institution can be difficult without help from an attorney. Our lawyers have the experience and resources to fight against clergy abuse at the highest levels of the Catholic institution. We can help you protect your rights.

A sexual abuse lawyer from Manly, Stewart & Finaldi can handle all aspects of your clergy abuse claim while you focus on healing and moving forward. We can evaluate the proper value of your claim, conduct a thorough case investigation, identify all parties that may be liable for your abuse, find the right outlet for recovery for you and fight for fair compensation – all while keeping your identity confidential and providing the emotional support you need.

19 Accused Priests in the Diocese of San Jose

The Diocese of San Jose recently released a list of priests and other members of the clergy with credible allegations of sexual abuse of minors against them. The list reveals the names of 19 alleged offenders who may be guilty of heinous acts such as child sexual abuse, sexual misconduct, molestation and rape. Some cases involve the sexual abuse of dependent adults as well as minors. The Diocese of San Jose is one of several in the state to release lists of documented abuse and assault incidents after pressure from lawsuits.

First Last Status
Thomas Bettencourt Accused
Edward Thomas Burke Convicted
Charles Leonard Connor Convicted
Joseph Dondero Accused
William C. Farrington Accused
Don D. Flickinger Settled
Robert A. Gray Convicted
Arthur Harrison Settled
Laurent Largente Accused
Alexander C. Larkin Sued
Angel Crisostomo Mariano Convicted
John Rodrigues Moniz Convicted
George Moss Accused
Leonel C. Noia Convicted
Joseph T. Pritchard Settled
Noel Senevirante Accused
Phil Sunseri Accused
Hernan Toro Convicted
Benedict Van der Putten Accused

If you or a loved one are a survivor of sexual abuse at the hands of one of these – or another unnamed clergy person – Manly Stewart & Finaldi can help.

California Recently Extended the Statute of Limitations

In 2019, California lawmakers passed Assembly Bill No. 218 into law to change the statute of limitations on child sex abuse civil cases. The new law gives survivors more time to come forward and file lawsuits against their perpetrators and other defendants. Instead of having 8 years from the age of 18 or 3 years from the date of discovery, plaintiffs now have 22 years from the age of 18 or 5 years from the date of discovery. If you exceeded your statute of limitations in the past, contact Manly, Stewart & Finaldi today to find out if you have a renewed opportunity to file.

Contact a Diocese of San Jose Abuse Attorney

The lawyers at Manly, Stewart & Finaldi use aggressive and personalized legal strategies to obtain the best possible results for clients. We are here to help survivors of clergy abuse in the Diocese of San Jose in any way we can. From providing emotional support to fighting for maximum compensation, we may be able to help you achieve closure and a positive case outcome, even if your abuse happened years ago. Speak to one of our attorneys today at (855) 944-0710 or request a free consultation through our online intake form.