Judge is threatening the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego with contempt

[DealMonkey]

What would Jesus do after finding out that his priests had systematically molested and raped young people? Of course! He'd try to hide the church's assets and/or claim bankruptcy to avoid paying the victims! What an awesomely great idea.

Calif. diocese threatened with contempt

By ALLISON HOFFMAN Associated Press Writer
© 2007 The Associated Press

SAN DIEGO ? A federal bankruptcy judge is threatening the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego with contempt for allegedly attempting to hide assets to avoid payment to clergy sexual abuse victims.

Judge Louise DeCarl Adler ordered the diocese's lead attorney into court Wednesday to explain why she and her colleagues should not be sanctioned.

Adler cited a March 29 letter sent by a diocese parish organization to pastors urging them to get new taxpayer identification numbers and transfer funds to new accounts. The threat Monday came six weeks after the diocese sought bankruptcy protection amid lawsuits by more than 140 people who accuse priests of sexual abuse.

The judge said any post-bankruptcy transfers between the diocese and parishes outside of normal cash operations violate her ruling against shifting the diocese's assets while the bankruptcy case is pending. She said any transfers require court approval.

In a sternly worded order, Adler said attorneys Susan Boswell, Jeffry Davis and Victor Vilaplana appear to have "conspired with parishes" to create new bank accounts separate from the diocese.

Boswell wrote in court documents Tuesday that no intentional misrepresentations or misstatements had been made. She said the diocese has "no access or control" over money in more than 770 bank accounts opened by parishes and parochial schools under the diocese's taxpayer identification number.

Davis wrote in court papers that he thought comments Adler made in an earlier hearing suggested that parishes should obtain their own taxpayer identification numbers for clarity in the bankruptcy case.

Attorneys for the alleged victims have repeatedly accused the church of trying to hide assets to reduce the overall sum available for potential settlements. They estimate that a fair settlement would total about $200 million.

In March, the diocese proposed a $95 million settlement schedule for victims that would offer plaintiffs anywhere from $10,000 to $800,000.

San Diego was the fifth U.S. diocese to file for bankruptcy. The other dioceses that have filed for bankruptcy protection are Davenport, Iowa; Portland, Ore.; Spokane, Wash.; and Tucson, Ariz. Tucson has emerged from bankruptcy protection, while proposed settlements are awaiting final approval in Portland and Spokane.

 

[dmcowen674]

They should go after the parent company for the money, The Vatican.

 

[RightIsWrong]

This is but another attempt at the secular liberals (read heathen atheists) to Christian bash. Why, those good, honest men of God were just looking out for the parishioners that all of that money could help. Why should it go to just a few, undeserving soles when it could do so much more important work elsewhere?

 

[ebaycj]

Originally posted by: RightIsWrong
Why should it go to just a few, undeserving soles when it could do so much more important work elsewhere?

Maybe if they don't want it to go to "a few undeserving soles", they should tell their employees to stop molesting children. Problem solved.

 

[manowar821]

Religion this large is like a damned corporation, they lie, cheat, steal and make money doing it.

Burn them down.

 

[imported_Shivetya]

Originally posted by: ebaycj

Originally posted by: RightIsWrong
Why should it go to just a few, undeserving soles when it could do so much more important work elsewhere?

Maybe if they don't want it to go to "a few undeserving soles", they should tell their employees to stop molesting children. Problem solved.

While I agree to the solution you recommend I think the money should be used in victim prevention programs instead of lining the pockets of lawyers.

As for the bad Priests, they should be in jail.

 

[Pabster]

Originally posted by: Shivetya
As for the bad Priests, they should be in jail.

:thumbsup:

It is ridiculous the clowns are allowed to "resign" and "retire" and keep their nice little pension checks...

 

[brandonb]

Claiming priests molested you = Today's "Get rich quick" scheme.

 

[piasabird]

Just start repossessing Church Property.

Revoke their tax exempt status if they defy the courts.

 

[PokerGuy]

On the one hand the abusing priests etc anger me, and the coverup attempts by the church angers me even more. But then seeing the church go bankrupt in some of these areas is also terrible, since they do a lot of good for a lot of people. I'd love to get my hands on the necks of some of those responsible for all this --- everyone loses, the victims, the church, the community etc

 

[DaveSimmons]

The chruches aren't "going bankrupt" the way you think of it, they are pre-emptively declaring bankruptcy to shield their tens or hundreds of millions in assets from any court judgements.

If they -bleep- the victims over one more time then they can keep all of their church-held land, luxury cars, and jewel-encrusted brandy decanters.

 

[3chordcharlie]

Originally posted by: brandonb
Claiming priests molested you = Today's "Get rich quick" scheme.

Or maybe it comes from being molested by priests.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: brandonb
Claiming priests molested you = Today's "Get rich quick" scheme.

I totally agree!!!