Kansas City Diocese, Priest Face Lawsuit
Victim’s parents say priest created and diocese possessed child pornography depicting their minor daughter
What
At a news conference Thursday in Kansas City, prominent clergy abuse attorneys will announce a lawsuit against the Diocese of Kansas City-St Joseph, Bishop Robert Finn and Father Shawn Ratigan on behalf of a child who is a victim of child pornography by Fr. Ratigan. The lawsuit alleges that the Diocese and Bishop Robert Finn violated federal and state child pornography and child abuse laws when they concealed evidence that Fr. Ratigan was creating child pornography by photographing and being sexually inappropriate with young parish girls. The lawsuit alleges that Bishop Finn and the Diocese concealed this evidence in order to avoid a scandal within the Diocese.
Copies of the civil complaint will be available on Thursday at approximately 1 P.M. under “Case Resources” at: www.AndersonAdvocates.com
WHEN:
Thursday, June 2, 2011 at 1:30 P.M.
WHERE:
The Roosevelt Room
Kansas City Marriott Downtown
200 West 12th Street
Kansas City, MO
WHO:
Attorneys Jeff Anderson, Patrick Noaker and Rebecca M. Randles (Randles, Mata & Brown)
Jeff Anderson is widely recognized as a pioneer in sexual abuse litigation and a champion of survivors of childhood sexual abuse. In nearly four decades as a litigator, Jeff has represented thousands of clients and has tried over two hundred and fifty jury trials to verdict. Known for his optimism, energy, and compassion for clients, Jeff is credited with being instrumental in exposing the large-scale cover-up of pedophile priests in the early 1980s. As one of the first trial lawyers in America to publicly and aggressively initiate lawsuits against sexual predators—and the institutions that conceal and protect them—Jeff’s efforts have obtained justice for
thousands of survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
Patrick Noaker is the senior litigation attorney at Jeff Anderson & Associates. He has successfully litigated hundreds of cases involving childhood sexual abuse and represents clients from all over the United States. Recognized nationally as an expert on sexual abuse litigation, Patrick has taught legal seminars and has had several published articles on the subject of childhood sexual abuse. He has been featured prominently in the media as a survivor advocate, including appearances on CNN and NPR.
Recently Patrick was instrumental in working with Jeff Anderson to develop and launch the law firm’s national initiative to detect, track and ultimately deter—through civil litigation—the exploitation of children for internet pornography.
REBECCA M. RANDLES concentrates her practice in the areas of psychiatric and mental health issues including psychiatric malpractice, sexual abuse cases, employment law and mental health care. She has written extensively on mental health issues with more than six publications in national legal and medical journals including William & Mary Law Journal, Oklahoma Law Journal, ATLA Negligence Law Reporter and the AMA Journal. She is a frequent speaker to educational organizations, patients’ groups and mental health providers regarding psychiatric and legal issues. She is licensed in Missouri, Kansas and Massachusetts, and practices before the Eighth and Tenth Circuit Courts of Appeals and the Districts of Kansas and Western District of Missouri. She is a member of the Missouri and Kansas bar associations, the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, and the
American Trial Lawyers Association. She is active in the community and serves as a trustee for Southweat Baptist
University.
Note: Copies of the civil complaint will be available on Thursday at approximately 1 P.M. under “Case Resources” at: www.AndersonAdvocates.com
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