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[GRAPHIC: Newspaper article]
NARRATOR: No scandal has been more in the recent news than the
widespread sexual abuse of children by priests of the Catholic
Church.
[GRAPHIC: Newspaper article]
NARRATOR: As the secrecy surrounding these acts lifted, a special law
allowed hundreds of abuse survivors to bring lawsuits against the
institutions of that church for the conduct of tolerating and hiding
known offenders. Rick Simons was a key member of the team that
represented over 150 victims, helping them to receive nearly $200
million in court judgments and settlements.
NEWS ANCHOR: Sex abuse lawsuit against the Oakland Dioceses.
NEWS ANCHOR: The case is drawing a lot of attention since it's the first
in a series of northern California suits against the church.
RICK SIMONS: Our children are our future.
NEWS ANCHOR: In closing arguments, Attorney Rick Simons reminded jurors
of the abuse Bob and Tom Thatcher suffered at the hands of Father
Robert Ponciroli between 1979 and 1980. The Catholic Church has
admitted Ponciroli abused the boys at Saint Ignatius Church in
Antioch.
RICK SIMONS: This is a case that's not only significant for Alameda and
Contra Costa Counties, this is a case that's significant all around
the world.
ANN NOTARANGELO: A Hayward jury has found the Oakland Dioceses guilty
and responsible for the sexual abuse committed by one priest against
two Antioch boys in 1979 to 1980.
RICK SIMONS: The bishop and managing agents of the dioceses of Oakland
acted with malice, which is knowing disregard the rights of children
in favoring perpetrator priests over kids.
[GRAPHIC: Newspaper article]
NARRATOR: One of the Oakland Dioceses representatives said it best.
They had one dynamite attorney.
