The Committee is pleased to report three more important developments:

1. The Court heard and approved the Committee’s application to have Stout serve as the Committee’s real estate valuation expert. Stout will assist the Committee in evaluating real estate that may be utilized in connection with the Diocese’s reorganization efforts.
2. The Committee updated the Court regarding the number of Survivors that are interested in making impact statements. With over 40 interested Survivors, the Court scheduled hearings on September 10, 2025 (starting at 1:00 p.m. ET) and September 11 and 12, 2025 (full day, start times to be determined). More information regarding the logistics of this hearing will be communicated to Survivor’s personal counsel and posted to the albanysurvivors.com website in the future.
3. Two insurance companies—London Market Insurers and Hartford—have objected to certain survivor claims. In response to the objections, the Committee proposed that the Court should first consider whether the insurers have “standing” to object to survivor claims. Standing can be thought of as whether or not a party can speak in court on a particular issue. In a fantastic decision for Survivors, the Court agreed that “standing” was an issue that needed to be addressed and strongly questioned whether the insurers had standing to object to Survivor claims. The Court then set a briefing schedule and indicated a decision on the standing issue would likely be forthcoming at the end of August. In the event that the insurance companies can establish standing to object to claims, each claim objection would be addressed on the merits. Survivors can feel confident that the Committee is advocating for the legal recognition of all legitimate claims in this bankruptcy case.  

A Survivor in New York was recently awarded $30 million by Supreme Court Justice Meagan K. Galligan.  Represented by Pfau Cochran Vertitis Amala, the Survivor was abused at a Boy Scout Camp by the defendant who was unlawfully posing as a doctor.   Details of this case can be read via this link.  Please be aware that details may be difficult to read and re-traumatizing for some Survivors.  From that article, Ben Watson an attorney representing the Survivor commented “This verdict is a major victory for Mr. Pringle and for survivors across New York.  It also sends a clear message to any individual or institution that believes they can get away with the sexual abuse of children: the law will hold you accountable.”

The Official Committee of Survivors in the Albany Diocese bankruptcy is pleased to report three important developments:

1. Two days of “face-to-face” mediation among all parties took place in Albany.  While this process must follow the rules of “mediation confidentiality”, it was an important event that allowed the Committee to make clear its demands.  Additional mediation is ongoing and this website will be updated whenever details allow.

2. A motion was made by the Committee to allow for “Survivor Impact Statements” before the court.  Details are being arranged now.  This is an opportunity for Survivors to address the court, in the presence of Church officials, to share their stories of abuse and the lifetime of impact they have endured.  The Stinson Team will work with all speakers to ensure that they feel as best prepared as possible.   Survivors interested in making a statement should discuss it with their attorneys.  If you are not represented, and are interested or have questions, please reach out to doug.kennedy@stinson.com. 

3. The Committee will be seeking Court approval for the retention of Stout Risius Ross, LLC to serve as the Committee’s valuation experts.  This is an important component of the expertise serving the Committee and will ensure that all Diocese assets are known.

In what is a victory for all Survivors who find themselves part of a Diocese bankruptcy, a Survivor abused by a Diocese of Winona NY priest has been awarded $7.6 million by a jury.  This is an important development because the defendant in the lawsuit was US Fire Insurance, an insurer who chose not to settle with the Official Committee of Survivors in the Winona bankruptcy.  Now, that insurer is liable for this settlement and the costs associated with its defense.  Further information regarding the Winona decision can be found at Survivor Abused by Diocese of Winona Priest Sees Victory in the Courtroom, Awarded $7.6 Million – Jeff Anderson and Associates