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April 23, 2005
Abuse Victim Wins $3.3 Million from Santa Rosa Diocese
Attorneys say it is largest single settlement in favor of a female victim in the United States since the clergy abuse scandal began in 2002.
OAKLAND — A victim of childhood sexual abuse won a settlement of $3.3 million in damages from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Santa Rosa today after she claimed the church failed to protect her from a predator priest.
Attorneys for the 44-year old woman, who was 15 when she was molested, said it was the largest single settlement in favor of a female victim in the United States since the clergy abuse scandal began in 2002.
The defendant, Don Kimball, was sentenced to seven years in prison for molesting a teenage girl in 1981. The conviction was overturned as a result of a U.S. Supreme court ruling.
Kimball, a former priest and youth minister, was known for using rock 'n' roll music to relay his religious message. Born and raised in Santa Rosa, Kimball had denied all charges.
"This was arguably the worst of the cases we have faced," said Deirdre Frontczak, diocese spokesperson.
The molestation victim said she was a foster child and had a sexual relationship with Kimball for six years.
The victim said because she had no parents, Kimball was a father figure to her, helping her make life decisions
"I learned from someone who said he loved me when he abused me," she told reporters on the steps of the Alameda County Courthouse today.
Lawyer Jeff Anderson said the settlement "reflects the legitimate moral responsibility of the dioceses."
There are nine other cases of sex abuse pending against the Diocese of Santa Rosa, attorneys for the victim said.
"With this settlement we reaffirm our commitment to provide just and reasonable compensation to the victims of past abuse, to do all we can to forward the process of healing and reconciliation, and to assure such tragic acts are never repeated again," according to a statement issued by Bishop Daniel F. Walsh.
The money will be paid from insurance funds and diocesan reserves, Frontczak said. She said neither capital donations or ministry expenditures will be used.
The diocese has been embarrassed by revelations that reached their highest level when a bishop, G. Patrick Ziemann, resigned after being accused of coercing another priest into having sex with him.
In March 2000, the diocese settled a civil suit for $1.6 million with several other parishioners who said they were molested by Kimball.
Posted by Nealus at April 23, 2005 08:10 PM
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