Recent developments in the L.A. Archdiocese priest abuse scandal

Former Catholic priest Michael Baker is shown at his sentencing in December 2007. At the time, the Los Angeles Archdiocese, where much of his abuse occurred, was issuing checks to hundreds of alleged abuse victims. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

April 22, 2014 4:26 PM PT

Accusations of child molestation by priests cost the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles more than $740 million and significant standing in the community. The cases spanned decades, and evidence of cover-ups tarnished the reputations of many church leaders.

Records released in 2013 showed that Cardinal Roger Mahony and a top advisor plotted to conceal child molestation by priests 15 years before any scandal came to light. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Cardinal Roger Mahony, right, and Archbishop Jose Gomez appear at a transition Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in 2010. Gomez took over the Los Angeles Archdiocese the next year when Mahony retired. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

Victor Cortez wipes away tears during a news conference announcing a $13-million settlement to 17 people who said they were molested by L.A. Archdiocese priests. The case, the last of the archdiocese’s pending lawsuits, brought the archdiocese’s total settlement costs to more than $740 million. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)