Los Angeles Archdiocese Settles 4 Suits For Nearly $10 Million

AP reported yesterday that the Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles has agreed to settle four cases against it by abuse victims of now-defrocked priest Michael Baker for a total of nearly $10 million. The abuse allegations cover 26 years-- 1976 to 2000. Two of the cases named Cardinal Roger Mahony who failed for many years to remove Baker. Released documents show that Mahony helped shield abusive priests. (See prior posting.)  An attorney for the Archdiocese says that the Archdiocese is responsible for Baker's actions. Two of the cases were set to go to trial next month, and the judge had ruled that plaintiffs could seek punitive damages. In the settlement, two of the plaintiffs will receive $4 million each, and two other will each receive $1 million.