Legal News

$660 million priest abuse settlement in question after retired judge's recusal

By Jason Siegel

Survivors of clergy abuse won a massive $660 million settlement last year. But they can expect a long wait to find out if the confidential priest files in the case can go public as the court-appointed mediator recused himself.

Former state Supreme Court Justice Edward Panelli recused himself from the case to avoid the "appearance of impropriety" because he chairs the Diocese of San Jose's clergy abuse review board, the Los Angeles Times reported (here).

Panelli's ruling would've been final and the district attorney had agreed to review the files for crimes committed if the files are made public, the Associate Press reported (here).

Plaintiffs' attorneys asked L.A. Superior Court Judge Emilie Elias to appoint a replacement mediator on Thursday, the L.A. Times reported.

The case could take years if both sides can agree on a replacement, moving the fight to state court, the Associated Press reported.

Full post as published by Legal Pad | LA on September 08, 2008 (boomark / email).