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Albany Press Conference on Child Victims Act 8/14/19

PRESS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT

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PRESS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD                                   CONTACT: Eva Herman

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2019 (11:00 AM)                       (305) 778-3388

Outside the Diocese of Albany (Details Below)                       www.hermanlaw.com

FIRST OF HUNDREDS OF LAWSUITS FILED AGAINST NEW YORK INSTITUTIONS ON BEHALF OF VICTIMS OF CHILD SEX ABUSE

Filings Coincide With the Opening of the One-Year Window Under the Child Victims Act; Diocese of Albany Named in First Three Suits

ALBANY, NY — Sex abuse victim’s attorney Dan Ellis will hold a press conference on Wednesday, August 14, 2019 announcing and discussing the filing of three lawsuits against the DIOCESE OF ALBANY. The press conference and the filing of the suits coincides with the opening of the window for filing claims under the New York Child Victims Act. Ellis will be joined by his clients, victims of clergy sexual abuse, to discuss the three cases of those clients being filed Wednesday along with the impact of this legislation on future claims that will be filed by other child victims. Ellis will be available to answer questions from media outlets.

The cases being filed Wednesday offer a small glimpse at the depth of the child sex abuse crisis in the Catholic Church:

  • The first suit will be filed on behalf of two sisters who were sexually assaulted at ST. COLMAN’S HOME, an orphanage in Watervliet, NY. The children were sexually abused by an employee at the facility and were subjected to extreme physical and emotional abuse by the nuns in the facility. When one of the sisters disclosed the sexual abuse to a nun at the facility, the child was transferred to an orphanage for mentally disabled children as punishment. One of the sisters will speak at the press conference.
  • The second suit is being filed on behalf of two men who were sexually abused as children by EUGENE HERBERT at ST. TERESA OF AVILA. As custodian at the school, HUBERT has a long history of sexual abuse. One of the men will speak at the press conference.
  • The third suit is being filed on behalf of a man who was sexually abused as a child by FR. DAVID BENTLEY at ST. PATRICK’S PARISH. There is a long history of credible accusations of sexual abuse of children by BENTLEY. A copy of each complaint being filed in these suits will be made available to the press upon request later on Wednesday, after the filings have been accepted by the county clerk.

These suits would not have been possible without the New York Legislature’s passing of the Child Victims Act earlier this year. As a result of the Child Victims Act’s one-year window, victims must swiftly assess and prepare any potential claims they may have against the entities responsible for their abuse. Herman Law represents hundreds of victims of childhood sexual abuse in New York, many of whom have been victims of the widespread problem of sex abuse within the Catholic Church.

In anticipation of the opening of the filing window, Herman Law has constructed its own “Predator Priest Index” (PPI), which lists over 500 accused priests in New York State compiled through the firm’s own investigations and outside sources. Herman Law will begin filing claims against the church, along with the claims of child victims seeking justice against non-church entities responsible for enabling abusers, in the proper New York courts beginning Wednesday.

The press conference will be held Wednesday, August 14th at 11:00 AM outside the Pastoral Center of the Diocese of Albany (40 North Main Avenue, Albany, NY 12203).

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Herman Law is a law firm for victims of sexual abuse across the nation. The firm is led by its founder Jeff Herman, who is recognized as one of the country’s leading attorneys for child victims of sexual abuse. The firm has obtained over $200 million in verdicts and settlements. Jeff has developed a national reputation for his powerful advocacy and unwavering dedication to his clients. Herman Law is committed to empowering victims of sexual abuse to take back their lives and begin the healing process.

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