In Milwaukee archdiocese bankruptcy case, creditors charge judge biased by parents' burial in Catholic cemetery

August 14, 2013

Creditors of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee are asking a federal judge to remove himself from the archdiocesan bankruptcy case, claiming that he has a conflict of interest because several of his relatives are buried in archdiocesan cemeteries.

In July, Judge Rudolph Randa ruled that the archdiocese acted within its rights in setting aside $50 million in a trust fund to ensure care for the archdiocesan cemeteries. Creditors—led by sex-abuse victims—had argued unsuccessfully that the cemetery funds should be included among the assets of the archdiocese that are available to pay off debts and legal settlements.

Now, after obtaining the records of the archdiocesan cemeteries, the creditors are arguing that Judge Randa’s ruling should be set aside, and he should not be involved in the case, because family members are buried in the cemeteries supported by the trust fund.

 

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Further information:

• Milwaukee Archdiocese's creditors want ruling halted, judge off case (Journal-Sentinel)
• Federal judge vindicates Cardinal Dolan, rules Milwaukee archdiocese right to shield cemetery funding (CWN, 7/30)
• Milwaukee archdiocese ordered to release documents on ties with judge in cemetery case (CWN, 8/9)