Parker Waichman LLP

Church Abuse Case Motion to Be Heard

The first phase of Cardinal Bernard Law’s testimony on his handling of a now-defrocked pedophile priest has ended, but the Archdiocese of Boston’s legal battles continue. Middlesex Superior Court Judge Janet Sanders planned to hold a hearing Tuesday on whether the psychiatric and medical records of the Rev. Paul Shanley can be made public. On […]

Church Abuse Case

The first phase of Cardinal Bernard Law’s testimony on his handling of a now-defrocked pedophile priest has ended, but the Archdiocese of Boston’s legal battles continue.

Middlesex Superior Court Judge Janet Sanders planned to hold a hearing Tuesday on whether the psychiatric and medical records of the Rev. Paul Shanley can be made public.

On Monday, Sanders ruled that the archdiocese must immediately turn over the documents to the family of Gregory Ford, 24, who claims Shanley repeatedly raped him when he was a boy.

Sanders ruled that Shanley waived any right to keep his personnel records private when he turned them over to the archdiocese.

Ford has filed a civil lawsuit against Law, accusing the cardinal of negligence in failing to protect Ford.

“All of these documents are clearly relevant to show the relationship between the (archdiocese) and Shanley, and the defendant’s knowledge of Shanley’s activities and his state of health,” Sanders ruled.

Archdiocese spokeswoman Donna Morrissey declined comment.

Shanley, 71, is a central figure in the sex abuse scandal that has led to calls for Law’s resignation. Documents released earlier this year showed that archdiocese officials knew as early as 1967 that he had been accused of sexually abusing children but did little more than move him from parish to parish.

Shanley also faces criminal charges that he raped another boy when he served in Newton.

Law faced off with attorneys for the third day of his deposition

Meanwhile, Law faced off with attorneys Monday for the third day of his deposition in civil lawsuits filed by 86 alleged sexual abuse victims of defrocked priest John Geoghan.

Two plaintiffs present during the questioning said it was the testiest day of testimony yet.

“There were points in time where Cardinal Law got downright, very upset,” Mark Keane, one of the alleged victims, said in a telephone interview.

Keane said the cardinal became angered when he believed one attorney, William Gordon, questioned his honesty during an exchange about whether Law reviewed documents with his lawyers.

“That’s when I think he misunderstood that they were implying that he had been coached or something on those lines, and he really kind of wigged out,” Keane said, adding that Law “went into a speech about how important the oath was to him, he doesn’t take an oath lightly.”

Transcripts were not released, following a judge’s order that Law be given 30 days to review them for accuracy.

Keane also said Law had acknowledged that he had possessed the authority to establish a victims’ trust fund that did not require the approval of the archdiocese’s finance council.

Earlier this month, the council overruled Law and pulled out of a settlement agreement worth up to $30 million for Geoghan plaintiffs, saying it couldn’t afford it.

Morrissey, the archdiocese spokeswoman, said she would not comment on active litigation. Law’s lawyers were not available for comment.

Plaintiffs’ attorney Mitchell Garabedian declined to discuss specifics of the testimony but said archdiocese lawyers agreed to allow him to continue questioning Law, though the deposition would likely not continue for another month.

Keane and another alleged victim, Patrick McSorley, also said Law was questioned about a 1989 letter from a Hartford, Conn., center where Geoghan received three months of treatment. A psychiatrist diagnosed him with pedophilia in remission, and said there was a low probability he would abuse children again but could not guarantee it.

The alleged victims said Law focused on portions of a letter from doctors that said he was safe to resume his ministry while downplaying a section indicating he might still be dangerous.

Geoghan, the priest in the suit for which Law is being deposed, is serving a nine- to 10-year prison sentence on a molestation conviction. Law and other church officials are accused of negligence for reassigning Geoghan and ignoring warning signs that he was dangerous to children.

Need Legal Help Regarding Church Abuse Case?

The personal injury attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP offer free, no-obligation case evaluations. For more information, fill out our online contact form or call 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).

Further sex abuse resources:

What Our Clients Say About Us
We have worked with thousands of clients and we appreciate them and their positive reviews. Here are just a few recent client reviews...
5 Star Reviews 150
Michelle Josama was very helpful and informative through our process. She was very friendly and made us feel very comfortable asking questions!
Irma Inez Sayz
5 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
When I signed up with the Victim's Compensation Fund ("VCF"), Parker Waichman ("PW") guided me through the entire process. Without their guidance I wouldn't have gotten through it. They do outstanding work and they care deeply for their clients. Tina Morace is pleasant, patient, and very professional. She held my hand through the process of getting all the documents together. Tina is a valuable employee at PW, I hope PW appreciates her as much as I do.
Amy Whitaker
4 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Great friendly staff lawyer always keep me updated about my case thank you so much Mr.Danny and your staff always called to check on me to see if I'm ok and if I'm feeling better they truly do care.
Nora Martinez
4 years ago

Why Choose Us to Help You?

We Take Care of Everything
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
No Recovery = No Legal Fees
We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that we only get paid from a portion of your settlement or jury award. If you don't get compensation, you owe us nothing.
Decades of Experience
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
Respected by Our Peers
Judges, insurance adjusters, and fellow attorneys all speak highly of our skills, and we've earned numerous accolades, including a flawless rating from AVVO.
We Have Many Locations To Serve You
We have the experience and the skilled litigators to win your case. Contact us and speak with a real attorney who can help you.
Long Island – Nassau
Parker Waichman LLP
6 Harbor Park Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
Long Island – Suffolk
Parker Waichman LLP
201 Old Country Road – Suite 145
Melville, NY 11747
New York
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Queens
Parker Waichman LLP
118-35 Queens Boulevard, Suite 400
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Brooklyn
Parker Waichman LLP
300 Cadman Plaza West
One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
New Jersey
Parker Waichman LLP
80 Main Street, Suite 265
West Orange, NJ 07052
Florida
Parker Waichman LLP
27299 Riverview Center Boulevard
Suite 108
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Nationwide Service
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038