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1 800 686 9921
Free CASE REVIEWS
1 800 686 9921
Father John M. Cotter was a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston who first faced public accusation in a 1993 lawsuit alleging he repeatedly molested a boy from 1968 to 1975, beginning when the child was just seven years old. The abuse allegedly included oral, digital, and anal rape. Boy Scout leader William Reynolds was also accused of abusing the same child. The lawsuit revealed that abuse allegedly occurred through the priest’s involvement with the CYO, the Boy Scouts, and the confessional.
The Archdiocese is alleged to have known about Cotter’s abuse as early as 1974. In 1994, the first plaintiff sent a letter about the abuse directly to Pope John Paul II. Between 1995 and 1998, seven claims against Cotter were settled for a total of $575,000, and four additional claims were settled for $361,000. Father Cotter died in 1989, before the first lawsuit was filed. Despite his death, victims continued to come forward. The Archdiocese of Boston included Cotter on its official list of accused clergy in August 2011.
With decades of dedicated advocacy, we have held abusers and institutions accountable, helping survivors secure justice and the resources to move forward.
For over two decades, we have focused solely on advocating for survivors, combining legal skill with compassion to guide them toward justice and healing.
We are honored to have guided thousands of survivors through the legal process, offering support, advocacy, and the resources they need to reclaim their lives.
The settlements reached between 1995 and 1998, totaling more than $936,000, reflect the Archdiocese’s repeated civil exposure over Cotter’s conduct — though, as is typical in civil settlements, they did not constitute formal admissions of wrongdoing. These settlements did not complete the work of accountability. The breadth of allegations against Cotter — spanning multiple parishes over more than a decade — raises serious questions about what the Archdiocese knew and when.
For survivors of Father Cotter who have not yet come forward, the extensive public record of allegations against him may provide validation and context for their own experiences. Civil litigation may offer the opportunity to add their voices to this record and to seek accountability from the Archdiocese for the full scope of its alleged failures. Each survivor who steps forward adds to a record that the Church’s alleged knowledge as early as 1974 cannot be concealed, and the institution may be held accountable for allowing Cotter to continue in ministry despite credible allegations of sexual abuse.
Every survivor deserves compassion and acknowledgment. This video explains how civil law empowers individuals harmed by clergy abuse to pursue accountability and closure. Justice extends beyond courtrooms; it allows survivors to reclaim their voice and aids them on their healing journey. Survivors across Massachusetts continue proving that truth carries strength and healing begins with being heard.
Our experienced and compassionate team of attorneys, investigators, paralegals, and support staff have extensive training in working with sexual abuse victims.
These cases are complex; however, our team are experts in these types of cases and will diligently ensure our clients are compensated for full and fair value. We always do our best to help our clients heal by giving them a voice
and helping them seek a measure of justice.
Massachusetts Disclaimer:Herman Law has a multistate practice representing victims of sexual abuse in civil cases. A Herman Law attorney is licensed to practice law in Massachusetts. Each case is different, and results in prior cases do not assure a similar outcome in future cases. If there is no recovery, no fees or expenses will be charged. Attorney Advertising by Jenny Rossman.
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