New Lawsuit Alleges San Diego Catholic Diocese Fraudulently Transferred Real Estate Assets to Avoid Child Sexual Abuse Claims. Click Here for Complaint

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New Lawsuit Alleges San Diego Catholic Diocese Fraudulently Transferred Real Estate Assets to Parishes to Avoid Child Sexual Abuse Claims

The Zalkin Law Firm P.C. has filed a 479-page lawsuit against the Roman Catholic Bishop of San Diego a Corporation Sole (the Diocese) and every Catholic Parish in San Diego, alleging that in September of 2019, the Catholic Diocese of San Diego fraudulently transferred assets to separate parish corporations it created to avoid paying settlements or judgments in potentially hundreds of lawsuits, when the California legislature had just passed a bill opening a three year window to allow older victims of child sexual abuse to file lawsuits against their perpetrators and institutions like the Diocese.

In a February 9, 2023 letter to parishioners Bishop Robert Cardinal McElroy states “‘The parish assets have been held in recent years by individual parish corporations, and before that they were held by the Diocese in trust for each particular parish community.”

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  • Clergy Sexual Abuse
    Multi-Victim     $660,000,000

    Irwin Zalkin was one of the lead trial lawyers and part of the trial team prepared to commence a 14 victim trial against the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Los Angeles, the day a global settlement was reached in the amount of $660,000,000.

  • Clergy Sexual Abuse
    Multi-Victim     $198,500,000

    Irwin Zalkin was appointed Mediation Liaison Counsel and a lead negotiator by United States Magistrate Judge Leo S. Papas on behalf of over 144 victims of childhood sexual abuse against the Roman Catholic Bishop of San Diego.

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    Multi-Victim     $100,000,000

    Irwin Zalkin was part of the team of lawyers representing clergy sexual abuse survivors in the Diocese of Orange, California who recently helped to negotiate the first $100,000,000 global settlement in the country involving childhood sexual abuse by members of the Catholic clergy.

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    Multi-victim case against religious group home.

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    An $8 Million judgment against a resort facility after a six-week jury trial for a woman who was rendered a paraplegic following a fall off of an unguarded pier.

  • Clergy Sexual Abuse
    Multi-Victim     $8,000,000

    Multi-victim case against a religious leader and institution.

  • Child Sexual Abuse
    Single Victim     $4,250,000

    $4.25 Million paid to single sexual abuse Plaintiff.

  • Clergy Sexual Abuse
    Multi-Victim     $4,200,000

    Three survivors abused as minors by priests associated with a Northern California Diocese.

  • Child Sexual Abuse
    Single Victim     $4,150,000

    $4.15 Million paid to single sexual abuse Plaintiff.

  • Child Sexual Abuse
    Single Victim     $4,000,000

    $4 Million paid to single sexual abuse Plaintiff.

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Over the past 20 years, our firm has helped hundreds of clergy, campus, and childhood sex abuse survivors find their voice in the justice system, and has recovered millions in compensation on their behalves.

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Despite promises of reform or public repentance, many of these institutions prospered while ignoring, mishandling, and casting aside victims’ claims. We believe the time has come to hold them responsible.

If you or someone you love have questions about a potential sex abuse claim, The Zalkin Law Firm is available to help. We proudly serve survivors nationwide, and offer free and confidential consultations.

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The Zalkin Law Firm is devoted to providing survivors with a voice in the civil justice system, and helping them feel safe and empowered when stepping forward. We know pursuing a claim requires immense courage, and we work to ensure clients are treated with the respect, patience, and understanding they deserve.

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