$9,990,000 Settlement Announced in Child Sex Abuse Cases Against Cardinal Roger Mahony, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and Michael Baker
Manly & Stewart announce the settlement of cases alleging that former Father Michael Baker sexually abused four boys on multiple occasions, dating back to the 1970s. It was alleged that Cardinal Roger Mahony knew of Father Baker's criminal behavior and allowed him to continue to serve as a priest.
LOS ANGELES, March 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Attorneys representing four victims of former priest Michael Baker announced a $9,990,000 settlement of cases against the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Cardinal Roger Mahony and former priest Michael Baker. The settlements in each of the four cases range from $995,000 to $4,000,000.
"The settlement of these cases against former priest Michael Baker is symbolic of the sex abuse scandals that rocked the Los Angeles Archdiocese under Cardinal Roger Mahony," said victims attorney John Manly. "We presented evidence that Cardinal Mahony and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles knew of Father Baker's sexual abuse of children and concealed his identity from law enforcement and the public. Instead, they intentionally sent him to minister and teach in low-income and primarily Hispanic parishes and schools, because of their lack of knowledge of our laws and customs, their reluctance to contact law enforcement and their devotion to the Roman Catholic Church. The settlement in these cases sends a clear message – never again!"
Michael Duran, one of the victims, appeared at the news conference. "I trusted Father Baker. He was my priest and I thought he was my friend," said Mr. Duran. "Now we know that I was but one of his many victims. Rather than protect us, Cardinal Mahony and the Church protected our abuser."
About John Manly and Manly & Stewart: The founding partner at Manly & Stewart in Irvine, California, John Manly was named one of California's "Top 100 Attorneys" by the Los Angeles Daily Journal and is California's preeminent attorney representing victims of sexual abuse. Over the past decade, John and his legal team have been heavily involved in the most significant sexual abuse actions litigated across the nation, assisting in the recovery of more than a billion dollars—through trial and settlement—on behalf of sexual abuse victims.
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John Manly or Vince Finaldi (Kathy Frederiksen)
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For more information about the firm, please visit www.manlystewart.com
SOURCE Manly & Stewart
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