San Diego diocese to pay $198 million to settle 144 claims of abuse by clergy
SAN DIEGO - The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego said Friday it has agreed to pay $198.1 million to settle 144 claims of sexual abuse by clergy.
The agreement caps more than four years of negotiations in state and federal courts. Earlier this year, the diocese abruptly filed for bankruptcy protection just hours before a trial was scheduled to begin on 42 lawsuits alleging sexual abuse.
The diocese has been under pressure to reach a settlement. It sought to shield its assets by declaring bankruptcy, but a judge recently threatened to throw out the diocese's bankruptcy case if an agreement wasn't reached with the plaintiffs.
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