Investigation reveals the Bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre controls more than 1 billion dollars in assets; Diocese claimed in bankruptcy filing to only have 93 million
(St. Paul, MN) – On June 29, attorneys from the law firm of Jeff Anderson & Associates filed a motion in the United States Bankruptcy Court Southern District of New York on behalf of the survivors’ creditors committee in the Diocese of Rockville Centre bankruptcy case.
The motion includes a report that details the Diocese of Rockville Centre has grossly undervalued its assets in an attempt to deceive the court and the public about the diocese’s financial wealth. This perilous tactic is in an attempt to award survivors less for the abuse they endured by child molesting clerics in the Diocese of Rockville Centre.
“Just like they move and hide their predator priests, they’re now moving and hiding their money, hoping to deprive suffering survivors a chance at fair compensation,” said attorney Jeff Anderson. “Time and time again, when it comes to doing right by deeply wounded victims, bishops cry ‘we’re poor.’ But they’re just selfishly scheming to hold onto their vast wealth and power.”
Through Nassau and Suffolk county records, the law firm of Jeff Anderson & Associates has determined that the 135 parishes and missions within the Diocese of Rockville Centre have an overall market value of $1.3 billion. Within the diocese, there are 13 parishes worth more than $30 million.
In its bankruptcy filings, the diocese claims that it doesn’t own the parishes. The diocese claims it only has $93,026,766.40 in assets.
“The bishop’s bankruptcy filings grossly mislead survivors about the bishop’s control over his parishes and their assets in an attempt to disadvantage survivors of sexual abuse,” said attorney Jeff Anderson. “It’s time for a reckoning in the Diocese of Rockville Centre.”
Survivors of sexual abuse in the Diocese of Rockville Centre, and all dioceses across the state of New York have until August 13, 2021, to file a lawsuit and can do so confidentially.