(NBC NEWS) -- Four clergy sex abuse cases will cost the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of
Los Angeles nearly $10 million, a law firm representing the alleged
victims announced Tuesday.
The cases, in which settlements were reached ranging from $995,000 to
$4,000,000, allege that former priest Michael Baker repeatedly molested
four victims beginning in the 1970s, and that Cardinal Roger Mahony
knew of Baker's criminal behavior and allowed him to continue as a
priest.
"These cases against former priest Michael Baker are
symbolic of the sex abuse scandals that rocked the Los Angeles
Archdiocese under Cardinal Roger Mahony," lawyers for the alleged
victims said in a statement.
In 2007, Baker was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to 12 counts of molestation against young boys.
In 2011, he was released with credit for time served.
Mahony is currently in Rome helping to select the next pope.
J.
Michael Hennigan, an attorney for the Los Angeles Archdiocese, said
Mahony is aware of the settlement and the cardinal acknowledges that
mistakes were made. He confirmed that the total settlement was for $9.9
million.
"The Archdiocese has always taken full responsibility for
Michael Baker's actions, it was just a matter of agreeing on a number,"
said Hennigan. "We're happy to move passed this."
Mahony - who
retired as head of the L.A. Archdiocese last year and was stripped of
his remaining diocesan duties in January - has repeatedly apologized for
the handling of the sex abuse scandal.
But he again found himself the subject of scrutiny after publishing blog posts referring to himself as a scapegoat amid calls for him to abstain from attending the papal conclave.
Two
more court cases against Baker are heading to trial soon, and attorneys
for the plaintiffs could seek even more punitive damages.
Lawyers for the victims said they will hold a press conference Thursday in Los Angeles.
NBC News