News

Nov 07, 2011: William Mitchell College of Law Honors Jeffrey R. Anderson ’75

William Mitchell College of Law recently honored Jeffrey R. Anderson ’75 and William M. Orth ’80 at the college’s Annual DeParcq Leadership Dinner. The dinner is held in honor of William H. DeParcq ‘30, prominent Minnesota personal injury lawyer who died in 1988, to recognize those who make a difference in the lives of our students, our law school, and our community.

Nov 07, 2011: A time to talk to children

Experts say it’s important for parents to talk openly, honestly and calmly to kids about cases like the Skip ReVille sexual molestation scandal, tailoring the information to the age and maturity of the child. For young children, it might be best to describe such situations in general terms, explaining that a bad person touched someone inappropriately in a private place. Older kids might prefer to read newspaper accounts or discuss the incidents in far greater detail. The main point is creating a safe place where children feel comfortable sharing information and feelings, knowing they won’t…

Oct 20, 2011: Statement of Jeff Anderson Re: Guilty Plea of Oliver O’Grady for possession of child pornography

“We and the many families who have been wounded by Oliver O’Grady are deeply relieved that this serial predator who has caused so much pain for so long is finally found guilty.  O’Grady’s plea of guilty to possessing child pornography represents a current day demonstration of the seriousness of his crimes and the danger he continues to pose to children because of his inability to control himself.   Along with the families we have represented whose lives have been devastated by Oliver O’Grady, we applaud every family and law enforcement agent who brought this to bear. We are als…

Oct 19, 2011: New lawsuit: seminarian abused altar boy at Incarnation of Our Lord Parish in Philadelphia

Prominent clergy abuse attorneys Jeff Anderson, Dan Monahan and Marci Hamilton announced a new lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua, Cardinal Justin Rigali and Father William Ayers, on behalf of a Philadelphia man (John Doe 187) who alleges he was sexually abused from 1996 through 1999 by Ayers at Incarnation of Our Lord Parish in Philadelphia.   The clergy …

Oct 17, 2011: Bishop Indicted; Charge Is Failing to Report Abuse

A bishop in the Roman Catholic Church has been indicted for failure to report suspected child abuse, the first time in the 25-year history of the church’s sex abuse scandals that the leader of an American diocese has been held criminally liable for the behavior of a priest he supervised. The indictment of the bishop, Robert W. Finn, and the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph by a county grand jury was announced on Friday. Each was charged with one misdemeanor count involving a priest accused of taking pornographic photographs of girls as recently as this year.

Oct 14, 2011: Statement of Clergy Abuse Attorney Jeff Anderson Concerning the Action of the Jackson County Grand Jury

“This action, coupled with the Philadelphia  Grand Jury indictments in January for the cover-up of clergy abuse in that diocese, is a historic time in the history of the clergy abuse tragedy in America.  On behalf the of the hundreds of survivors of clergy abuse in the United States, I want to thank the Jackson County Attorney and the citizen Grand Jurors of Jackson County, Missouri, for …

Oct 04, 2011: Another suit filed against former Belleville priest accused in earlier case

A man who became the caretaker for the Rev. Raymond Kownacki — whose sexual abuse of a minor cost the Catholic Diocese of Belleville more than $6 million — has filed suit against the 76-year-old priest. In a lawsuit filed Monday in St. Clair County Court, the plaintiff is identified only as “John Doe, S.W.” The complaint states that the plaintiff was a 16-year-old boy at St. Mary’s Parish in Valmeyer when he was sexually abused by Kownacki from 1985-87. Kownacki was the parish priest. According to a complaint, “Defendant Kownacki engaged in unwanted and harmful sexual conduct…