Kansas City diocese asks court to void new $1.1 million payment to abuse victims

July 24, 2014

The Diocese of Kansas City has asked a Missouri court to set aside a $1.1 million payment to abuse victims that was awarded by an independent arbitrator.

Hollis Hanover, a court-appointed arbitrator, ruled that the diocese had violated had violated the terms of the 2008 settlement with abuse victims, and assessed the $1.1 million award. Diocesan lawyers now argue that Hanover overstepped his authority, and that he had no rightful power to award further monetary damages to abuse victims.

Judge Bryan Round said that it would take some time to sort out the complexities of the case, but asked whether the diocese wanted to back out of the 2008 settlement with abuse victims. While saying that he understood the desire of diocesan attorneys to avoid continuous litigation, he said that a move away from the agreed settlement “sends a bad message.”

 

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Further information:

• KC diocese disputes order to pay $1.1 million in sexual abuse case (Kansas City Star)
• Kansas City diocese should pay $1.1 million for violating its own abuse policies, arbitrator rule (CWN, 7/1)