Joel R. Glucksman
Partner
201-896-7095 jglucksman@sh-law.comKey Contacts
Back
The sex abuse scandal has had a major impact on the Catholic church, and not just in its reputation. The Catholic Diocese of Stockton, Calif., recently said it would become the 10th diocese to file for protection under Chapter 11 bankruptcy law as a result of the scandal, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Bishop Stephen Blaire said that reorganization was the only option to help cover the increasing legal costs. In total, the diocese has spent $14 million in legal settlements and judgments in the past two decades, and no longer has funds to cover any pending or future cases.
The diocese’s Chapter 11 filing would halt any current proceedings, and potentially allow the discharge of liabilities by setting up a trust to compensate victims of sexual abuse.
The Catholic Diocese of Stockton, Calif. isn’t alone, as the Milwaukee Archdiocese recently submitted its plan of reorganization three years after it declared bankruptcy. According to the Journal Sentinel, the Archdiocese is currently facing 575 claims, with legal fees greater than $11 million. This is one of the biggest bankruptcies filed by any of the Catholic dioceses in the U.S., according to legal experts.
Archbishop Jerome Listecki – who filed the bankruptcy – hopes to put the case in the past to begin focusing on church duties moving forward.
“It’s been three years since our Chapter 11 petition was filed, and it is time for the archdiocese to return its focus to its ministry of charity, service and education,” Topczewski, told the news source. “Outreach to abuse survivors will always be part of that ministry.”
- Practices: Bankruptcy & Creditors' Rights, Corporate Transactions & Business, Bankruptcy Litigation
- Locations: Red Bank, NJ, New York City, Little Falls, NJ
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Related Posts
See all
Dissolving Your Business: Essential Legal Steps to Protect Your Interests
If you’re considering closing your business, it’s crucial to understand that simply shutting your doors does not end your legal obligations. Unless you formally dissolve your business, it continues to exist in the eyes of the law—leaving you exposed to ongoing liabilities such as taxes, compliance violations, and potential lawsuits. Dissolving a business can seem […]
Author: Christopher D. Warren
The Role of Corporate Restructuring in Mergers & Acquisitions
Contrary to what many people think, corporate restructuring isn’t all doom and gloom. Revamping a company’s organizational structure, corporate hierarchy, or operations procedures can help keep your business competitive. This is particularly true during challenging times. Corporate restructuring plays a critical role in modern business strategy. It helps companies adapt quickly to market changes. Following […]
Author: Dan Brecher
Crypto Enforcement: A Former Prosecutor’s Warning to Criminals and the Public
Cryptocurrency intimidates most people. The reason is straightforward. People fear what they do not understand. When confusion sets in, the common reaction is either to ignore the subject entirely or to mistrust it. For years, that is exactly how most of the public and even many in law enforcement treated cryptocurrency. However, such apprehension changed […]
Author: Bryce S. Robins
Understanding Chattel Paper: A Key Component in Secured Transactions
Using chattel paper to obtain a security interest in personal property is a powerful tool. It can ensure lenders have a legal claim on collateral ranging from inventory to intellectual property. To reduce risk and protect your legal rights, businesses and lenders should understand the legal framework. This framework governs the creation, sale, and enforcement […]
Author: Dan Brecher
Crypto Compliance: A Comprehensive Guide
For years, digital assets operated in a legal gray area, a frontier where innovation outpaced the reach of regulators and law enforcement. In this early “Wild West” phase of finance, crypto startups thrived under minimal oversight. That era, however, is coming to an end. The importance of crypto compliance has become paramount as cryptocurrency has […]
Author: Bryce S. Robins
Supreme Court and Title VII: Implications for Reverse Discrimination
Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in Ames v. Ohio Department of Youth Services vitiating the so-called “background circumstances” test required by half of federal circuit courts.1 The background circumstances test required majority group plaintiffs pleading discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act to meet a heightened pleading standard […]
Author: Matthew F. Mimnaugh
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.