Updates From Jeff Anderson & Associates, PACopyright (C) 2010. All rights reserved./rss/default.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1403/abc7-News-%24196M-settlement-in-priest-sex-abuse-lawsuit-against-Donald-McGuire.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1403/abc7-News-%24196M-settlement-in-priest-sex-abuse-lawsuit-against-Donald-McGuire.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.com May 21, 2013 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- Six men who say they were victims of former Jesuit priest Donald McGuire have settled their sex abuse lawsuit for nearly $20 million. McGuire is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence after being convicted in several sex abuse cases. "This is an exhortation for truth transparency and accountability," Jeff Anderson, attorney, said. "It is our call today to action to this pope and to this order and all those like it to become transparent." McGuire was tried and convicted for child sex abuse in Wisconsin and is currently serving time in federal prison ...Wed, 22 May 2013 09:30:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/Blog/1402/Catholic-Whistleblowers-The-Courage-of-Conviction.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/Blog/1402/Catholic-Whistleblowers-The-Courage-of-Conviction.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.comA powerful new force has emerged in the fight against child sexual abuse and the protection of predator priests in the Catholic Church.  This week, as profiled by Laurie Goodstein, in the New York Times, a group of Catholic Whistleblowers composed of nuns and priests have come together to provide an alternative viewpoint from inside the Church hierarchy concerning the state of child protection within the Catholic Church.  Despite assertions to the contrary, the Catholic Church still suffers from poor decision-making and the failure to prioritize children over the priesthood.  A...Tue, 21 May 2013 16:04:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1401/NBC10-Philadelphia-NJ-Ex-Priest-Jailed-After-Working-With-Kids.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1401/NBC10-Philadelphia-NJ-Ex-Priest-Jailed-After-Working-With-Kids.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.comA judge has ordered a New Jersey priest wait behind bars while a grand jury considers whether he violated a legal agreement to stay away from children. Bail for Michael Fugee remains at $25,000 following his brief court appearance Tuesday in Bergen County, where he's charged with seven counts of judicial contempt. Fugee did not have an attorney with him at his appearance Tuesday. He resigned from the Archdiocese of Newark on May 2, saying in a letter that he did not inform the archdiocese that he had a youth ministry and was working with children. "My failure to request the required permissi...Tue, 21 May 2013 12:42:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1406/Timeline-of-Donald-McGuire.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1406/Timeline-of-Donald-McGuire.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.comTue, 21 May 2013 10:41:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1405/Map-of-McGuire-locations.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1405/Map-of-McGuire-locations.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.comTue, 21 May 2013 10:40:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1404/Chart-of-McGuire-locations-assignments-years.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1404/Chart-of-McGuire-locations-assignments-years.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.comTue, 21 May 2013 10:39:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1399/Press-Release-%24196-Million-settlement-of-lawsuit-of-six-sexual-abuse-victims-of-prominent-former-Jesuit-Donald-McGuire.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1399/Press-Release-%24196-Million-settlement-of-lawsuit-of-six-sexual-abuse-victims-of-prominent-former-Jesuit-Donald-McGuire.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.comMedia AdvisoryMay 20, 2013 Chicago News Conference Tuesday Attorneys to announce record $19.6 Million settlement of lawsuit of six sexual abuse victims of prominent former Jesuit Donald McGuire Survivors and Attorneys to present newly obtained details and photos What:  At a news conference on Tuesday in Chicago prominent clergy abuse attorneys Jeff Anderson and Marc Pearlman will: • Announce the settlement of a lawsuit against the Jesuit’s Chicago Province of the Society of Jesus involving sexual abuse of six men sexually abused as youth by former Jesuit Donald McGuire.• I...Mon, 20 May 2013 16:44:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/Blog/1396/Jane-Doe-173-and-Family-Achieve-Historic-Settlement-With-Diocese-of-Kansas-City-%E2%80%93-St-Joseph.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/Blog/1396/Jane-Doe-173-and-Family-Achieve-Historic-Settlement-With-Diocese-of-Kansas-City-%E2%80%93-St-Joseph.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.comOn Tuesday, May 14, 2013, our clients, Jane Doe 173 and her parents, settled a historic lawsuit against the Diocese of Kansas City – St. Joseph and its Bishop, Robert Finn.  Their case was significant for two reasons. First, through the lawsuit, Jane Doe 173, with the brave support of her family, sought justice for the damages caused by Bishop Finn’s actions in supporting Father Shawn Ratigan, a child pornographer, at the expense of numerous children from the Diocese, including Jane Doe.  Second, Jane Doe 173 brought her claim under Masha’s Law, a federal statute which allows survivo...Thu, 16 May 2013 12:51:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1394/The-Kansas-City-Star-Kansas-City-diocese-settles-lawsuit-involving-Ratigan-photos.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1394/The-Kansas-City-Star-Kansas-City-diocese-settles-lawsuit-involving-Ratigan-photos.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.comThe Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese has settled a civil lawsuit involving a priest convicted last year of producing child pornography. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court against the diocese, Bishop Robert Finn and the Rev. Shawn Ratigan by the parents of a young northern Missouri girl, was settled Tuesday for $600,000, attorneys for the girl’s family said. It is the diocese’s largest settlement in a single priest sex abuse case, they said. “It was good for the family and I’m sure it was good for the diocese to get this resolved,” said Gregg Meyers of Jeff Anderson & Associates in...Thu, 16 May 2013 09:50:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1393/Daily-News-LA-clergy-abuse-suit-delayed-to-consolidate-cases.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1393/Daily-News-LA-clergy-abuse-suit-delayed-to-consolidate-cases.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.comLOS ANGELES - A judge refused Tuesday to dismiss a lawsuit alleging that a fugitive Mexican priest molested a boy 25 years ago in Los Angeles and instead combined claims by 11 alleged victims into one trial. Superior Court Judge Emilie Elias postponed trial in the lawsuit involving the Rev. Nicolas Aguilar Rivera and, for now, denied a request by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles for a change of venue. The lawsuit claims Aguilar Rivera molested the plaintiff in 1987 while in Los Angeles, where he was working for one year after being severely beaten in his home parish in the Dioce...Thu, 16 May 2013 09:46:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1392/Bennington-Banner-Law-would-extend-limits-on-crimes-against-children.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1392/Bennington-Banner-Law-would-extend-limits-on-crimes-against-children.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.comBENNINGTON -- The Legislature agreed Tuesday to extend the statute of limitations on crimes committed against children after a local prosecutor sought changes following the trial of former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky. 40-year statute of limitations Sexual crimes committed against a child will now have a 40-year statute of limitations. Current law only allows for prosecution of sexual assault, lewd and lascivious conduct, sexual exploitation of a minor within 10 years after it is reported or until a child turns 24. Bennington County Chief Deputy State’s Attorney Christ...Wed, 15 May 2013 13:32:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1391/The-Seattle-Times-Priest-ostracized-after-breaking-code-of-silence-on-sex-abuse.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1391/The-Seattle-Times-Priest-ostracized-after-breaking-code-of-silence-on-sex-abuse.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.com  KAMPALA, Uganda — He is a celebrity across eastern and central Africa, a gospel-music star known to many as the “Dancing Priest.” But for years he also was a keeper of painful secrets — his own and many others’. In going public, Anthony Musaala has forced the Roman Catholic Church in Uganda to confront a problem it had insisted didn’t exist. And he may stir a debate far beyond Africa’s most Catholic of countries. The Ugandan priest has been suspended indefinitely by the archbishop of Kampala for exposing what he calls an open secret: that sex abuse in the Catholic Church is a problem...Mon, 13 May 2013 11:14:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1390/Daily-News-Pfizer-executive-arrested-in-Puerto-Rico-on-child-porn-charge-.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1390/Daily-News-Pfizer-executive-arrested-in-Puerto-Rico-on-child-porn-charge-.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.comSAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Federal authorities in Puerto Rico have arrested an executive at Pfizer Pharmaceutical for allegedly producing child pornography. Officials say 48-year-old Reinaldo Diaz Camacho was charged after Puerto Rico police received information that he was having sexually explicit conversations with a 16-year-old boy on Facebook. U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodriguez said Thursday that the boy’s mother told authorities she had seen the conversations on her son’s cellphone. Rodriguez says Diaz had sent the boy sexually explicit images via Facebook and text messages. She says a f...Thu, 09 May 2013 11:07:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1389/Leader-Telegram-Van-de-Loo-sex-abuse-trial-will-be-moved-out-of-Eau-Claire-County.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1389/Leader-Telegram-Van-de-Loo-sex-abuse-trial-will-be-moved-out-of-Eau-Claire-County.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.com  The criminal trial for Eau Claire pediatrician David Van de Loo, accused of sexually assaulting 16 former male patients, won't be held in Eau Claire County. But the dates of the trial and its location are still up in the air. Eau Claire County Judge Michael Schumacher granted Van de Loo's motion for a change of venue on Thursday. "There's a reasonable likelihood a fair trial cannot be had in Eau Claire County," Schumacher said. Schumacher cited media coverage and Van de Loo's prominent status in the Eau Claire area as factors leading to changing the location of the trial. Van de Lo...Fri, 03 May 2013 11:04:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1388/NJcom-Priest-at-center-of-Newark-Archdiocese-scandal-quits-ministry.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1388/NJcom-Priest-at-center-of-Newark-Archdiocese-scandal-quits-ministry.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.comThe Roman Catholic priest at the center of a public furor enveloping Newark Archbishop John J. Myers has resigned from ministry, a spokesman for the archdiocese said tonight. The Rev. Michael Fugee, who attended youth retreats and heard confessions from minors in defiance of a lifetime ban on such behavior, submitted his request to leave ministry this afternoon, said the spokesman, Jim Goodness. Myers promptly accepted the resignation, Goodness said. Fugee, 52, remains a priest but no longer has authority to say Mass, perform sacramental work or represent himself as an active priest, Goodnes...Fri, 03 May 2013 10:57:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1387/Dallasnewscom-Court-rejects-Boys-Scouts-appeal-in-sexual-abuse-case-.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1387/Dallasnewscom-Court-rejects-Boys-Scouts-appeal-in-sexual-abuse-case-.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.comA San Antonio appeals court on Wednesday denied the Boy Scouts of America’s appeal of an order requiring the group to disclose years of so-called perversion files in a child abuse lawsuit. The 4th Texas Court of Appeals’ brief order Wednesday rejects the Scouts’ request for a reversal of a lower-court order on internal “ineligible volunteer” files of abuse complaints within the organization. Files from 1959 to 1985 were publicly revealed in an Oregon case and showed a decadeslong cover-up of sexual abuse allegations by Scout officials. Since then, courts in California and Minnesota have orde...Thu, 02 May 2013 16:13:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1386/National-Catholic-Reporter-Panel-of-advocates-discuss-Catholic-churchs-mortal-sins.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1386/National-Catholic-Reporter-Panel-of-advocates-discuss-Catholic-churchs-mortal-sins.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.comRumors that the Roman Catholic church's clergy sex abuse crisis is a problem of the past have been greatly exaggerated. "The bishops' public relations machine has persuaded the people that it is a problem that was, not that is," Jeff Anderson says, "and that is a living lie. There have been superficial changes, but not fundamental changes." Anderson, one of the most well-known lawyers to bring a lawsuit against the Roman Catholic church, was part of a panel to promote the publication of Mortal Sins: Sex, Crime, and the Era of Catholic Scandal, a new book by journalist Michael D'Antonio. The...Thu, 02 May 2013 15:59:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1385/MPR-Child-Victims-Act-passes-Minn-House%3b-still-not-done-deal.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1385/MPR-Child-Victims-Act-passes-Minn-House%3b-still-not-done-deal.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.com ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota House lawmakers on Tuesday voted overwhelmingly in favor of a bill that would allow victims of child sexual abuse more time to sue abusers and institutions that failed to protect them. The final tally - 115 votes in favor and seven opposed - came as a surprise to the bill's author, Rep. Steve Simon, DFL-Hopkins. "I'm really, really pleased and gratified, and the margin in particular was a pleasant surprise to me," Simon said. "I think it demonstrates that people know there's something wrong with current law." State law says victims of child sexual abuse mus...Wed, 01 May 2013 15:53:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1383/njcom-State-senator-calls-for-Newark-Archbishop-to-step-aside-calls-handling-of-priest-sickening.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1383/njcom-State-senator-calls-for-Newark-Archbishop-to-step-aside-calls-handling-of-priest-sickening.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.comDeclaring “enough is enough,” a state senator this afternoon called on Newark Archbishop John J. Myers to step down, at least temporarily, while authorities investigate his supervision of a priest who has worked with children despite a binding agreement barring such interaction.Sen. Joseph Vitale (D-Middlesex) said Myers’ handling of the Rev. Michael Fugee displays “arrogance” and defies common sense as the Roman Catholic church tries to regain the trust of parishioners in the wake of the clergy sex abuse crisis.“Based on everything that’s happened, not just in New Jersey but around the countr...Wed, 01 May 2013 09:14:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1382/Star-Tribune-Minnesota-Child-Victims-Act-deserves-support.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1382/Star-Tribune-Minnesota-Child-Victims-Act-deserves-support.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.comThe Minnesota House could vote today on an overdue measure to allow victims of childhood sexual abuse more time to pursue justice through civil courts.The Minnesota Child Victims Act would relax the civil statute of limitations, which is unduly narrow and protective of sexual predators. The Senate is considering a similar measure.Sadly, those lobbying hardest to defeat the needed change include associations of schools, churches and child-care centers. They represent the very kinds of institutions that have dominated headlines for failing to protect children from sexual predators.Is there reall...Wed, 01 May 2013 09:10:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1380/njcom-Furor-grows-over-Newark-archbishops-stance-on-priest-banned-from-ministry-with-children.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1380/njcom-Furor-grows-over-Newark-archbishops-stance-on-priest-banned-from-ministry-with-children.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.comAmid calls for a Vatican investigation, Newark Archbishop John J. Myers came under fierce criticism Monday for his handling of a priest who attended youth retreats and heard confessions from minors in defiance of a lifetime ban on ministry to children.At the Monmouth County church where the Rev. Michael Fugee had been spending time with a youth group, angry parishioners said they were never told about Fugee’s background and they questioned Myers’ defense of the priest, the subject of a lengthy story in the Sunday Star-Ledger."It’s complete craziness that the church can let this happen," said J...Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:53:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1381/New-York-Times-Statute-Prevents-Pursuit-of-Horace-Mann-Abuse.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1381/New-York-Times-Statute-Prevents-Pursuit-of-Horace-Mann-Abuse.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.comThe Bronx district attorney’s office said Friday it could not pursue any cases of alleged sexual abuse at Horace Mann, an elite private school in the Bronx, because the statute of limitations had been exceeded. A 10-month investigation by the district attorney, prompted by an article in The New York Times Magazine in June, identified at least 12 possible abusers, more than had previously been accused. The alleged abuse took place over four decades, with the most recent case occurring in 1996, the district attorney, Robert T. Johnson, said in a statement. New York’s statute of limitations requi...Fri, 26 Apr 2013 16:13:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1384/Stltodaycom-St-Louis-priest-indicted-on-federal-child-porn-charge.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1384/Stltodaycom-St-Louis-priest-indicted-on-federal-child-porn-charge.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.comST. LOUIS • A Roman Catholic priest from St. Louis, the Rev. William F. Vatterott, was indicted Wednesday on one federal child pornography charge, the U.S. attorney’s office said. The indictment says Vatterott, 36, possessed at least two images of an unidentified nude boy on his computer between June 2010 and June 2011. He is expected to appear in federal court late this week or early next week. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison. His attorney could not be reached for comment. Vatterott was ordained in 2003. He was associate pastor at Holy Infant Church in Ballwin, then be...Wed, 24 Apr 2013 23:01:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1378/Washington-Post-Philly-judge-defends-church-official%E2%80%99s-trial-landmark-conviction-for-child-endangerment.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1378/Washington-Post-Philly-judge-defends-church-official%E2%80%99s-trial-landmark-conviction-for-child-endangerment.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.comPHILADELPHIA — A judge is defending her decisions in the trial of the first Catholic Church official in the United States to be charged and convicted in the cover-up of the priest abuse scandal. Philadelphia Common Pleas Judge M. Teresa Sarmina concluded in a recent opinion that Monsignor William Lynn lied to perpetuate a church cover-up of child sexual abuse. “The defendant learned that his predecessors handled clergy sex abuse in a way that prioritized shielding the church from scandal and ... perpetuated the same system during his tenure,” she wrote in the 243-page decision, which summari...Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:46:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1377/Making-A-Difference-The-World-of-Giving---Child-Abuse-Prevention-Month.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1377/Making-A-Difference-The-World-of-Giving---Child-Abuse-Prevention-Month.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.comChild abuse is a topic many find challenging to discuss or even think about, but it's necessary, especially with the alarming statistics reported annually in this country. According to the Children's Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, approximately 3.4 million reports of child abuse were filed in 2011 in the United States, which actually affects nearly 6 million children. However, it is estimated the actual number of incidents of abuse and neglect could be three times more than what is actually reported by professionals (police officers, social workers, attorneys, etc....Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:12:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1376/The-Wall-Street-Journal-Alumni-ask-Bronx-school-to-probe-sex-abuse-claims-.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1376/The-Wall-Street-Journal-Alumni-ask-Bronx-school-to-probe-sex-abuse-claims-.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.comNEW YORK — A group of Horace Mann alumni who say they were sexually abused while students there are calling on the elite New York City school to appoint an independent investigator. The four men, along with attorney Gloria Allred, also called on the state Legislature on Monday to pass a bill that would eliminate the statute of limitations on sex abuse cases. The men, now in their 40s and 50s, said they were abused as teens. A woman who says she was an abused student was also at the event, but was not identified and did not speak. Allegations that the students in the school were abused over d...Mon, 22 Apr 2013 10:12:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1375/JS-Online-Milwaukee-Catholic-officials-knew-of-California-sex-abuse-allegations-against-priest.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1375/JS-Online-Milwaukee-Catholic-officials-knew-of-California-sex-abuse-allegations-against-priest.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.comCatholic Church officials in Milwaukee had known for 10 months that Father Robert Marsicek was under investigation on suspicion of molesting two children in California, according to the Sacramento diocese. But they did not move to suspend him from his duties at two local parishes and schools until a new allegation surfaced at a Wauwatosa school last month. Kevin Eckery, a spokesman for the Diocese of Sacramento, said officials there notified the Archdiocese of Milwaukee; Marsicek's Milwaukee-based religious order, the Society of the Divine Savior; and attorneys for both of the organizations ...Wed, 17 Apr 2013 14:35:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1374/NY-Daily-News-Child-Victims-Act-supporters-plan-rally-to-persuade-New-York-State-lawmakers.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1374/NY-Daily-News-Child-Victims-Act-supporters-plan-rally-to-persuade-New-York-State-lawmakers.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.com  Save the date: Supporters of the Child Victims Act will gather in Albany next week to push New York State lawmakers to pass the bill inspired by sex-abuse scandals at Poly Prep Country Day School, Syracuse and other institutions. Current state law requires survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file a case by the time they are 23 years old. The bill by Assemblywoman Margaret Markey (D-Maspeth) would eliminate the criminal and civil statute of limitations on sex-abuse cases. “I wanted to remind everyone about the Rally and Lobby Days for the Child Victims Act of New York that will tak...Fri, 12 Apr 2013 13:45:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1373/CNN-Philadelphia-archdiocese-finds-2-priests-unsuitable-for-ministry.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1373/CNN-Philadelphia-archdiocese-finds-2-priests-unsuitable-for-ministry.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.com(CNN) -- Two Catholic priests accused of wrongdoing have been declared unfit for service by the Philadelphia archdiocese and will no longer be allowed to minister. Joseph J. Gallagher, 78, and Mark S. Gaspar, 43, are two of the 26 priests who were suspended by the archdiocese after a 2011 grand jury investigation into the archdiocese's handling of child sex abuse allegations. They were placed on administrative leave while the church looked into allegations of abuse and misconduct. Archbishop Charles J. Chaput said the investigations of Gallagher and Gaspar found substantiated violations of t...Mon, 08 Apr 2013 13:55:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1372/Press-Release-regarding-the-stipulation-to-release-documents-and-depositions-on-sexual-abuse-in-the-Archdiocese-of-Milwaukee.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1372/Press-Release-regarding-the-stipulation-to-release-documents-and-depositions-on-sexual-abuse-in-the-Archdiocese-of-Milwaukee.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.comNews ReleaseApril 3, 2013 Jeff Anderson statement regarding the stipulation to release documents and depositions on sexual abuse in theArchdiocese of Milwaukee Note:  A stipulation agreement was signed and filed in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin today that provides for the release of documents and depositions on July 1, 2013. Jeff Anderson Statement: “We are pleased with the decision of Archbishop Listecki to release documents and timelines related to clergy sexual abuse of minors by diocesan priests in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.  Th...Thu, 04 Apr 2013 15:03:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1370/Journal-Sentinel-Archdiocese-of-Milwaukee-to-release-sex-abuse-records.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1370/Journal-Sentinel-Archdiocese-of-Milwaukee-to-release-sex-abuse-records.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.comIn a major development in its bankruptcy, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee announced Wednesday that it will make public thousands of pages of documents detailing its handling of clergy sex abuse cases dating back decades. The decision - a reversal for the archdiocese - came on the eve of a scheduled hearing at which U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Susan V. Kelley was expected to order the release of at least some of those records, which are under seal. The release of documents has been a primary objective of victims in the hundreds of clergy sex abuse cases around the country, including the Milwaukee ba...Thu, 04 Apr 2013 09:10:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1368/ABC-News-Sex-abuse-royal-commission-to-begin.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1368/ABC-News-Sex-abuse-royal-commission-to-begin.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.comThe commission will look at religious organisations, state care providers, not-for-profit bodies, as well as child service agencies and police forces and what can be done so that the victims have justice. The commission's chairman, Justice Peter McClellan, will today provide information on how future private and public hearings will be conducted. The senior counsel assisting the commission, Gail Furness, will also deliver an opening statement.Audio: Royal commission set to begin (AM) A spokesman for the royal commission has told AM it is anticipated the commissioners will start holding priv...Wed, 03 Apr 2013 12:32:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1367/Journal-Sentinel-Pius-X-priest-suspended-after-teacher-questions-his-behavior-with-child.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1367/Journal-Sentinel-Pius-X-priest-suspended-after-teacher-questions-his-behavior-with-child.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.comA Catholic priest has been temporarily suspended from ministry at two parishes and elementary schools, pending a Wauwatosa police investigation into allegations involving inappropriate contact with a student, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and his religious order confirmed Monday. Father Robert Marsicek was relieved of his duties at Pius X parish in Wauwatosa, Wauwatosa Catholic School and at Mother of Good Counsel parish and school in Milwaukee last week, standard procedure for both the archdiocese and his Milwaukee-based religious order, the Society of the Divine Savior, or Salvatorians. Arc...Tue, 02 Apr 2013 14:41:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1366/The-Herald-Former-Palma-teacher-admits-molesting-student-in-1980s.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1366/The-Herald-Former-Palma-teacher-admits-molesting-student-in-1980s.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.com A former Palma High School chaplain and teacher has admitted in sworn testimony that he sexually assaulted a Palma student. In a videotaped deposition, the Rev. Gerald Funcheon claimed he molested just one student at Palma and that the boy was his last. The redacted video does not include the names of any of the priest's alleged victims. Five men have leveled claims that Funcheon molested them when they were students at the school during the Crosier priest's tenure from 1984 to 1985. Funcheon testified that he did not believe his conduct was perverted or criminal at the time. Though h...Thu, 28 Mar 2013 11:44:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1365/The-Kansas-City-Star-Kansas-City-sentencing-date-set-for-priest-in-child-porn-case.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1365/The-Kansas-City-Star-Kansas-City-sentencing-date-set-for-priest-in-child-porn-case.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.comA judge announced Wednesday that he will sentence the Rev. Shawn Ratigan in September, more than a year after the Catholic priest pleaded guilty to producing child pornography. Ratigan pleaded guilty in August to using five girls to produce or attempt to produce child pornography over several years while serving as pastor to congregations in the Northland and St. Joseph. Prosecutors have said they plan to seek a “virtual life sentence” when Ratigan is sentenced Sept. 12. Charges against Ratigan rocked the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, eventually leading to lawsuits filed by families of...Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:27:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1364/Centredailycom-Judge-won%E2%80%99t-delay-lawsuit-vs-Penn-State-Second-Mile.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1364/Centredailycom-Judge-won%E2%80%99t-delay-lawsuit-vs-Penn-State-Second-Mile.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.comThe lawsuit filed by Victim 6 from the Jerry Sandusky case will be allowed to proceed, a federal judge in Philadelphia said Monday. Judge Anita B. Brody denied Penn State’s and The Second Mile’s request to stay the lawsuit filed by the young man Sandusky forced to shower with him in a campus shower in 1998. The decision was the first stay Penn State has lost on a civil suit from an abuse claimant. In her court order, Brody said she ruled against the university and the charity because the young man “has already waited a long time for justice and would be burdened with further delay.” But Br...Tue, 26 Mar 2013 21:35:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1363/The-Washington-Post-Youth-sports-groups-urged-to-join-effort-to-prevent-child-sexual-abuse.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1363/The-Washington-Post-Youth-sports-groups-urged-to-join-effort-to-prevent-child-sexual-abuse.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.comHours before the NCAA men’s basketball tournament ’s first play-in game, three retired professional athletes walked through the doors of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for the country’s most important sporting event. One, a Hall of Fame ex-Baltimore Oriole, had an idyllic childhood. The other two men, who used to play in the NFL and the NHL, went through hell, unable to admit for years the sexual abuse they suffered as kids. Cal Ripken Jr., Joe Ehrmann and Sheldon Kennedy played different sports. Their careers were as different as their demeanors and speech. But their...Sat, 23 Mar 2013 21:28:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1362/SFGATE-Ex-priest-sentenced-for-abuse-in-Ireland.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1362/SFGATE-Ex-priest-sentenced-for-abuse-in-Ireland.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.com A former Roman Catholic priest who worked in Sonoma County, Eureka and Sacramento in the 1980s before settling down in Alameda was sentenced Friday to 18 months in prison for sexually assaulting two boys decades ago in his native Ireland. Patrick McCabe, 77, was living in an Alameda condominium when he surrendered in 2010 to U.S. authorities, who then sought his extradition to Ireland. One of his victims, James Moran, who is now 50 and chose to be identified publicly, wrote in a statement to Irish authorities that McCabe "changed the path of my life forever," and that his life "had bee...Fri, 22 Mar 2013 21:26:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1359/New-York-Times-Ex-Horace-Mann-Students-in-Talks-on-Sex-Abuse-Case.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1359/New-York-Times-Ex-Horace-Mann-Students-in-Talks-on-Sex-Abuse-Case.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.comThirty-two former students of the Horace Mann School have said they were sexually abused by teachers and staff members, and they have been meeting with school officials in the past two weeks to negotiate compensation, according to a person knowledgeable about the talks.  Last June, an article in The New York Times Magazine recounted episodes of abuse at the school from the 1970s to the 1990s, citing the accounts of several men who had accused former teachers of having sex with them or trying to seduce them. Since then, more students have come forward to say they had been sexually abuse...Fri, 22 Mar 2013 14:11:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1358/MPR-Committee-approves-bill-to-remove-time-limits-for-child-sex-abuse-victims-to-sue.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1358/MPR-Committee-approves-bill-to-remove-time-limits-for-child-sex-abuse-victims-to-sue.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.com ST. PAUL, Minn. — A bill that would allow victims of child sexual abuse more time to file civil lawsuits was approved by the Minnesota House Judiciary Committee this afternoon. Under current law, victims of child sexual abuse need to file civil cases before they turn 24. The House bill would remove all civil statutes of limitations for future victims. It would also create a three-year window in which past victims of child sexual abuse could seek civil damages. The Minnesota School Boards Association opposes the bill. The group's lobbyist, Grace Kelliher, told lawmakers the bill would c...Thu, 21 Mar 2013 13:50:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1357/Boston-Herald-Abused-ex-pros-want-to-prevent-another-Penn-State.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1357/Boston-Herald-Abused-ex-pros-want-to-prevent-another-Penn-State.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.comALEXANDRIA, Va. — For 47 years, longtime NFL defensive tackle Joe Ehrmann kept secret the sexual abuse he suffered as a child. Just as he was coming to terms with what happened all those years ago, the plight of those like him became part of one of the biggest scandals in sports. "The Penn State issue re-traumatized me in a very profound way," Ehrmann said Tuesday. "And it kind of blindsided me. I remember sending out a tweet one day that if you see any man dazed and confused, give them a hug because I think there was a re-traumatization around this country when that story broke." "I admire,...Thu, 21 Mar 2013 09:44:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1356/Hawaii-News-Now-Former-Damien-students-file-lawsuit-for-alleged-sex-abuse.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1356/Hawaii-News-Now-Former-Damien-students-file-lawsuit-for-alleged-sex-abuse.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.comHONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A new civil lawsuit accuses a former Damien Memorial School chaplain of sexually assaulting two former students in the early 1980's. Father Gerald Funcheon worked at the school from 1982 to 1984. He is accused of molesting the alleged victims, identified as John Roe No. 9 and John Roe No. 10, multiple times. The plaintiffs' lawyers are also representing another former student, Kory Oakland, who filed a sex abuse lawsuit last year. The attorneys released excerpts of Funcheon's testimony filmed under oath in September 2012 for that case. Attorney Jeff Anderson asked h...Thu, 21 Mar 2013 09:42:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1360/VirginiaMNcom-Prostitution-child-porn-charges-await-Hibbing-man.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1360/VirginiaMNcom-Prostitution-child-porn-charges-await-Hibbing-man.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.comHIBBING — A former elementary school teacher currently residing in Hibbing has been summoned to St. Louis County Court to face charges of prostitution and possession of pornography, among others. Albert “Al” A. Gangl, 65, is expected to be charged with one felony count of prostitution, 16 felony counts of possession of child pornography, one felony count of use of a minor in a sexual performance (manufacturing pornography) and one gross misdemeanor count of furnishing alcohol to a minor. The summons, which was filed Friday in Hibbing district court, compels Gangl to appear there at 8 a.m. Ap...Wed, 20 Mar 2013 23:13:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1355/Press-Release-In-shocking-video-testimony-accused-predator-priest-admits-to-molesting-dozens.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1355/Press-Release-In-shocking-video-testimony-accused-predator-priest-admits-to-molesting-dozens.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.comWed, 20 Mar 2013 17:13:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1354/Sworn-Video-Statement-of-Gerald-Funcheon.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1354/Sworn-Video-Statement-of-Gerald-Funcheon.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.comWed, 20 Mar 2013 17:11:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1353/Map-of-Funcheon-Assignments.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1353/Map-of-Funcheon-Assignments.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.comWed, 20 Mar 2013 17:10:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1352/Funcheon-Assignment-History.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1352/Funcheon-Assignment-History.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.comWed, 20 Mar 2013 17:09:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1351/Funcheon-Statement.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1351/Funcheon-Statement.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.comWed, 20 Mar 2013 17:08:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1350/Rossi-Letter.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1350/Rossi-Letter.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.comWed, 20 Mar 2013 17:07:00 -0500http://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1349/NPR-Shattuck-sex-abuse-allegations-propel-proposed-law-aiding-sex-abuse-victims.aspxhttp://andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1349/NPR-Shattuck-sex-abuse-allegations-propel-proposed-law-aiding-sex-abuse-victims.aspxinfo@AndersonAdvocates.com ST. PAUL, Minn. — The child sexual abuse allegations involving a Shattuck-St. Mary's teacher have become a focal point for state lawmakers backing a bill that would make it easier for victims of past abuse to file lawsuits against institutions that failed to protect them. Former teacher Lynn Seibel is in jail facing 14 felony counts for the alleged sexual abuse of six students at the Faribault boarding school from 1999 to 2003 and three related charges. The students are now adults, and state law prevents them from seeking civil damages against the school. Minnesota, like many states...Wed, 20 Mar 2013 11:48:00 -0500