New York Archdiocese nears $800 million abuse settlement
What's next: 1,300 claimants must accept the deal, with payouts starting at $250,000 and some holdouts sharing a separate $20 million pool.
The Archdiocese of New York is close to a settlement topping $800 million to resolve sexual abuse claims brought by 1,300 people who accused clergy members and lay leaders. Plaintiffs’ lawyers said the agreement had been finalized and all survivors had signed off, but archdiocese spokesperson Joseph Zwilling said the sides were still working to complete it. Under the proposed terms, each claimant could take a lump sum of at least $250,000 or seek a larger award through a review of the abuse alleged. Lawyers for the plaintiffs said rejecting the deal could push the archdiocese into bankruptcy, shrinking payouts and prolonging years of litigation. A separate $20 million fund would be split among remaining holdouts.