Men file false sex abuse claims against ex-priest in racketeering scheme, IL suit says
A Catholic archdiocese has filed a lawsuit accusing a group of men of submitting dozens of false sex abuse claims against a defrocked priest to get millions in settlement payments.
'I got to get on the money train,' a man said during a phone call in state prison in 2013 to an unnamed man involved in the scheme, according to the lawsuit. He also asked the man how much money he got from a settlement payment from the archdiocese, the suit said.
The 38-page lawsuit, filed by the Archdiocese of Chicago on March 24, cites more recorded phone conversations between different men talking about how 'easy' it would be to bring claims against the Catholic Church. The men are all referred to as John Does in accordance with court orders.
Associated by gang affiliation, friendship or family, the web of men was recruited, bribed, paid and coached on how to successfully pursue false claims of sex abuse in exchange for a part in the anticipated settlement, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit says the false claims have diverted 'resources devoted to real victims' and reduced the ability to 'expeditiously resolve claims by real victims.'
'We trust and believe people when they come forward with abuse claims,' James Geoly, general counsel for the archdiocese, said in a news release. 'These individuals have violated that trust and have attempted to take advantage of it.'
Defrocked Illinois priest
Illinois has a grim history of child sex abuse by members of the Catholic clergy. In May 2023, Attorney General Kwame Raoul published a 696-page report, which found that over about seven decades, at least 1,997 children have been abused by 451 Catholic clerics and religious brothers across the state's dioceses.
One of the 'most infamous' child abusers in the state is former priest Daniel McCormack, who has more than 100 accusations of sex abuse against him and was committed under the Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act in 2017, according to the Attorney General's Office.
McCormack is accused of abuse in each of the false claims, with many saying the abuse happened in connection with a basketball team he coached, according to the lawsuit.
False claims
The lawsuit says three John Does, who all received settlements in 2012 and 2013, 'quickly exhausted' the money, giving them a reason to call on others to bring false claims for profit.
Once more men received settlements, they used the money on trips to Miami and Las Vegas, parties, and lavish cars and clothing, according to the lawsuit.
Two cases based on similar accusations have been ruled as fraud, and more than a dozen other claims have been abandoned, the lawsuit states.
The Archdiocese of Chicago is seeking injunctive relief for the claims filed by the group as well as monetary damages, according to the lawsuit.
'While we cannot erase the past, including the misconduct of priests who committed real harms, we can try to ease the pain and suffering of survivors through accountability and support,' Geoly said. 'False claims make it necessary to investigate all claims more aggressively, which places a greater burden on true survivors.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hamilton Spectator
an hour ago
- Hamilton Spectator
A couch was set on fire in the middle of this school sports field. How much is vandalism costing the Catholic board each year?
In the early-morning hours of April 19, a sofa was placed on the Knights logo on the artificial turf field at St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School on the Mountain and lit on fire. Repairs cost $56,121 — more than anticipated, said Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board senior facilities manager Paul Ferrie at a June 3 committee of the whole meeting. 'They dragged the sofa out to the centre field and torched it,' he told the committee. 'It took flame very quickly.' Fields are generally easy to access, which has posed a challenge, he said. Hamilton police investigated, but haven't made an arrest in this act of 'wilful evil,' Ferrie said. Police confirmed on Thursday no suspects were identified and no charges laid. St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School near Stone Church Road and Garth Street on the Hamilton Mountain. Police are generally only contacted for significant vandalism incidents, spokesperson Const. Adam Kimber said in an email. This incident of vandalism at St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School is one of two high-cost vandalism incidents at the board in the last six months. The board is required to report all incidents of vandalism over $2,500. 'wilful evil Damage to an automatic door at Cathedral High School around April 24 cost $3,193 in repairs. Last July, copper thefts from three rooftop HVAC units at Canadian Martyrs Catholic Elementary School cost $70,876 in repairs. Police investigated, and cameras were installed to identify suspects in any future incidents, the board said in a Dec. 3, 2024, report . It was a 'disappointing' year, Ferrie told the committee. 'Extreme' incidents in the tens of thousands are few, but costs associated with vandalism overall are 'significant' across the province, said chair Pat Daly, who is also the former president of the provincial Ontario Catholic School Trustees' Association (OCSTA). For the burning couch, the board is responsible for a $10,000 deductible, and insurance would cover the rest. Emergency work was performed to make the field usable, and permanent repairs will take place over the summer, according to a June 3 report. A couch set fire in the middle of St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School's artificial turf football field cost more than $56,000 in damage. Automatic door repairs were also funded entirely by the facilities management budget. Smashed windows, damage to exterior doors, graffiti and broken toilets and sinks in out-of-sight bathrooms are common across the board's approximately 70 buildings, he said. At least a decade ago, about 20 large exterior windows at a Catholic school were broken in one night, Daly said. Ferrie said there was a 'rash of trespassing' during the pandemic, but Daly said there's no indication vandalism has increased significantly since schools reopened. In addition to the cost, which he estimates is in the hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, vandalism affects students, for whom schools are their 'homes' during the day, Daly said. 'It's a real concern,' he said. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
4 hours ago
Colombia reports 33% drop in deforestation in early 2025, with major progress in Amazon parks
BOGOTA, Colombia -- Colombia saw a 33% drop in deforestation in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year, the environment ministry said Thursday, citing stronger community coordination and a crackdown on environmental crime. Speaking at a press conference, Environment Minister Lena Estrada Añokazi said deforestation fell from 40,219 hectares in early 2024 to 27,000 hectares this year. The government identified 18 active deforestation hot spots, including 13 in the Amazon and others in regions like Catatumbo, Arauca and the Pacific north. 'In the Amazon's national parks, deforestation dropped by 54% ... which is a very good result,' Estrada said, highlighting gains in Amazonian parks Tinigua, Chiribiquete and La Macarena. The Amazon remains Colombia's most affected region, accounting for 69% of the country's deforestation. The departments — Colombia's main administrative divisions — of Meta, Caquetá and Guaviare saw the biggest declines, while Putumayo had a slight increase. Estrada attributed the decline to the government's integrated plan to curb deforestation, which includes community agreements, institutional strengthening, and joint operations with the Defense Ministry and Attorney General's Office. A recent report by Colombia's inspector general noted that while deforestation dropped overall, pressure on protected areas remains intense, with illegal coca cultivation and unregulated mining advancing into national parks. The independent watchdog said that between October 2024 and March 2025, nearly 88,900 hectares of forest were lost nationwide, much of it in areas designated for environmental conservation. The minister said the efforts have led to key arrests, including of individuals tied to the environmental sector. Looking ahead, Estrada outlined a territorial action plan to further engage local and Indigenous authorities. A series of regional meetings is set to begin in June, starting in Villavicencio with Amazon and Orinoquia leaders. Deforestation in Colombia is mostly driven by land grabbing, illegal road building, cattle ranching, illicit mining and coca cultivation, the raw ingredient to produce cocaine. The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Yahoo
Colombia reports 33% drop in deforestation in early 2025, with major progress in Amazon parks
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Colombia saw a 33% drop in deforestation in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year, the environment ministry said Thursday, citing stronger community coordination and a crackdown on environmental crime. Speaking at a press conference, Environment Minister Lena Estrada Añokazi said deforestation fell from 40,219 hectares in early 2024 to 27,000 hectares this year. The government identified 18 active deforestation hot spots, including 13 in the Amazon and others in regions like Catatumbo, Arauca and the Pacific north. 'In the Amazon's national parks, deforestation dropped by 54% ... which is a very good result,' Estrada said, highlighting gains in Amazonian parks Tinigua, Chiribiquete and La Macarena. The Amazon remains Colombia's most affected region, accounting for 69% of the country's deforestation. The departments — Colombia's main administrative divisions — of Meta, Caquetá and Guaviare saw the biggest declines, while Putumayo had a slight increase. Estrada attributed the decline to the government's integrated plan to curb deforestation, which includes community agreements, institutional strengthening, and joint operations with the Defense Ministry and Attorney General's Office. A recent report by Colombia's inspector general noted that while deforestation dropped overall, pressure on protected areas remains intense, with illegal coca cultivation and unregulated mining advancing into national parks. The independent watchdog said that between October 2024 and March 2025, nearly 88,900 hectares of forest were lost nationwide, much of it in areas designated for environmental conservation. The minister said the efforts have led to key arrests, including of individuals tied to the environmental sector. Looking ahead, Estrada outlined a territorial action plan to further engage local and Indigenous authorities. A series of regional meetings is set to begin in June, starting in Villavicencio with Amazon and Orinoquia leaders. Deforestation in Colombia is mostly driven by land grabbing, illegal road building, cattle ranching, illicit mining and coca cultivation, the raw ingredient to produce cocaine. — The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
