$30 Million Settlement Reached in Winona Clergy Abuse Cases
Settlement Follows Diocese of Winona Bankruptcy, Insurers Refusal to Settle & Three Separate Jury Trials
“U.S. Fire Insurance denied, delayed, and for business reasons, chose to oppress survivors in bringing closure and making settlements. U.S Fire and the entire insurance industry is now required to reckon in a way like never before.” – Jeff Anderson
(Winona, MN) – Nearly eight years after the Diocese of Winona-Rochester filed bankruptcy in 2018, a settlement of $30 million has finally been reached with the Diocese of Winona-Rochester’s largest insurer – United States Fire Insurance Company. This settlement will impact over 145 survivors of sexual abuse who filed claims against the Diocese of Winona in the bankruptcy.
“It’s time – the landscape versus the insurance industry has shifted.” – Jeff Anderson
This is far from the first settlement reached in Diocese of Winona sexual abuse cases. In February of 2021, the Diocese of Winona agreed to a $28 million settlement. This settlement included the Diocese of Winona, parishes and schools, and two insurers, LMI and Interstate. This settlement did not include U.S. Fire. This was unprecedented, with all other Catholic bankruptcy cases ending in consensual resolution including a release for all major insurers.
“Each survivor that stood up with courage, sacrifice, and patience can know that there is now a reckoning. This is a triumphant turn toward justice.” – Jeff Anderson
Verdicts for Three Cases Announced, Insurance Company Finally Made to Pay After Three Trials
The latest settlement follows victories at trial for three cases against the Diocese of Winona. In 2025, three courageous survivors obtained jury verdicts against the Diocese of Winona.
- Doe 254 was abused by Fr. Joseph Cashman in the 1970s when he was 15 to 18 years old and a student at Lourdes High School in Rochester. After trial before Judge Christina Stevens in Olmsted County in June 2025, the jury returned a verdict against the Diocese of Winona for $7.6 million.
- Doe 539 was abused by a lay volunteer Eugene Hubert, who he knew “Brother Gene” at St. Mary’s Parish and School in Winona in the early 1970s, when Doe 539 was 13 years old. After an eight-day trial before Judge Nancy Buytendorp in Winona County in October 2025, the jury returned a verdict against the Diocese of Winona and St. Mary’s Parish for $4.5 million.
- Doe 222 was abused by Fr. Joseph Cashman from the ages of 14 to 16 years old, approximately 1972 to 1974 when he was a student at Lourdes High School in Rochester. After a trial before Judge Lisa Hayne in Olmsted County in October 2025, the jury submitted a verdict against the Diocese of Winona for $4.8 million.
Under the Diocese of Winona’s bankruptcy plan, U.S. Fire was responsible to pay these verdicts.
“This settlement forges a new path forward to combat insurers denials and delays across the country.” – Jeff Anderson
Lawsuit Against U.S. Fire Was Set for Trial in September
At the same time that courageous survivors were obtaining verdicts against the Diocese, another lawsuit brought on behalf of the Diocese of Winona’s bankruptcy against U.S. Fire was moving through the courts and getting close to trial. That lawsuit sought to force U.S. Fire to pay over $27 million in judgments the Diocese of Winona admitted it was responsible for on behalf of nine survivors of notorious abuser, Fr. Thomas Adamson. Attorneys Tim Burns & Jesse Bair of the Burns & Bair Law Firm represented the survivors’ interests in that lawsuit. Trial was scheduled to begin in Winona County on September 28.