L.I. Diocese Set for Trial In Abuse Case
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MINEOLA — The nation’s sixth-largest Roman Catholic diocese is headed to trial this week in a $150 million lawsuit accusing church officials of recklessness for employing a youth minister who raped and sodomized teenagers.
But despite its familiar scenario of youths abused by religious leaders, the case is unique: It could be one of the few decided by a jury, rather than an out-of-court settlement.
The U.S. Conference of Bishops estimates abuse-related costs from lawsuits have exceeded $1.5 billion, the majority out-of-court settlements. Many of the alleged acts took place so long ago their statutes of limitations have expired.
Many cases are settled out of court, in part to prevent details of the alleged abuse from going public, a New Jersey lawyer who has handled hundreds of church sex abuse cases Steve Rubino, said.
“There is a tendency not to want to run that risk,” Mr. Rubino said.
On Long Island, a grand jury found nearly two dozen cases of abuse in the Diocese of Rockville Centre, the nation’s sixth largest with 1.3 million Catholics in 134 parishes.
The case with opening statements set for today involves Matthew Maiello, who pleaded guilty to rape and sodomy in 2003 and served more than two years in prison. But the real focus is St. Raphael’s Church in East Meadow, its pastor, the Rev. Thomas Haggerty, and the Diocese of Rockville Centre.
