Mixed Emotions Expressed Regarding Settlement

Posted on July 16, 2007     |     Attorney,California,clergy sexual abuse,Firm News,Los Angeles,Pedophile,Sexual Abuse,Sexual Molestation

Los Angeles based Cardinal Mahony apologizes to sex abuse victims after landmark settlement
Monica Almeida/The New York Times

Cardinal Mahony apologized to the victims of clergy sexual abuse today, saying that he hoped the Church’s recent settlement for a record-breaking $660 million would bring a “final resolution” to the survivors. For abuse survivor Anthony Almeida (one of the 508 victims represented in the case), this settlement, and Mahony’s apology, falls short of a “final resolution”.

“My life is just a mess,” Mr. Almeida said. “With therapy, I think I’m doing a little better. This settlement is not going to fix everything, I understand that,” he said, but added, “It is a compensation for what I’ve gone through. But I still feel the church needs to be held accountable for what they’ve done to me, and my life.”

John Manly, Almeida’s attorney and the attorney for 49 other victims in this case, also expressed his concerns.

“I think the question people need to ask themselves is how can Roger Mahony pay three-quarters of a billion for criminal acts, and essentially walk free?” Mr. Manly said. “Especially since it’s other people’s money, and he has clearly been given special treatment by law enforcement and the power structure in L.A. When is there going to be some accountability, and if not, why?”

Read the NY Times coverage of the article here:

Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/16/us/16abuse.html?_r=1