Abuse settlement back on track
A groundbreaking clergy abuse settlement is back on track in Los Angeles after both sides agreed on a judge to decide which priest files can be made public.
Venus Soltan, an attorney for dozens of alleged molestation victims, said Tuesday that the retired judge would probably take months to review the documents from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
The L.A. County district attorney’s office has said it would inspect the files for evidence of crimes once they are public.
Many plaintiffs believe the files -- including letters, handwritten notes and reports from doctors and psychologists -- may show criminal wrongdoing by church leaders.
The documents’ release was part of a $660-million settlement last summer between the archdiocese and alleged molestation victims.
The settlement was sidetracked after a judge recused himself from the case in June.
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