L.A. Archdiocese settles for $660 million!

Los Angeles, the nation's largest Catholic archdiocese, headed by Cardinal Roger Mahoney, has settled its abuse cases for $660 million. This is by far the largest payout in the church's sexual abuse scandal, The Associated Press has learned.
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the plaintiffs reached the deal Saturday, said Ray Boucher, the lead plaintiff's attorney. The archdiocese and the plaintiffs will release a statement Sunday morning and hold a news conference Monday, he said.
The amount, which would average a little more than $1.3 million per plaintiff, exceeded earlier reports that the settlement would be between $600 million and $650 million.
The settlement is the largest ever by a Roman Catholic diocese since the clergy sexual abuse scandal erupted in Boston in 2002. The largest payout so far has been by the Diocese of Orange, Calif., in 2004, for $100 million.
Facing a flood of abuse claims, five dioceses _ Tucson, Ariz.; Spokane, Wash.; Portland, Ore.; Davenport, Iowa, and San Diego _ sought bankruptcy protection.
According to Chick Tract Fan Club President Richard Lee, the Catholic archdiocese in his hometown of Spokane, Washington has emerged out of bankruptcy. Chick has for decades made allegations about coverups in the Roman Catholic Church, but almost no one believed him. See "Alberto"