Media outlets seek court papers on widow's grants to Legionaries

October 24, 2012

Several media organizations have joined in a plea for a Rhode Island judge to release documents related to a lawsuit challenging the donation of $60 million to the Legion of Christ by an elderly widow.

Mary Lou Dauray had challenged the will of her aunt, Gabrielle Mee, charging that Mee had been manipulated and defrauded by the late Father Marcial Maciel, the disgraced founder of the Legion of Christ. Judge Michael Silverstein dismissed Dauray’s challenge, saying that she lacked proper standing in the case. But the judge did acknowledge: "The transfer of millions of dollars worth of assets--through will, trust and gifts--from a steadfastly spiritual elderly woman to her trusted but clandestinely dubious religious leaders raises a red flag to this court.”

The New York Times, Associated Press, Providence Journal, and National Catholic Reporter are asking Judge Silverstein to grant them documents in the case. Lawyers for the Legion of Christ are seeking to keep the documents sealed.

 

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Further information:

• Media groups want Legion of Christ papers unsealed (Tri-City Herald)
• Legion of Christ controls $28 million estate in Rhode Island (National Catholic Reporter)