2007年VOA标准英语-US Court Approves $660 Million Settlement in Cl
时间：2019-01-31 作者：英语课 分类：2007年VOA标准英语（七月）
Los Angeles
17 July 2007
A judge has approved a $660 million settlement between more than 500 alleged 1 victims of clergy 2 abuse and the Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles. VOA's Mike O'Sullivan reports, the landmark 3 agreement follows four-and-a-half years of negotiations 4.
Judge admonishes people in the audience to stop heckling at Los Angeles court where $660 million settlement approved between Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles and more than 500 alleged victims of clergy abuse, 16 July 2007
It is the largest payout by any U.S. Catholic diocese since the clergy abuse scandal erupted in Boston in 2002. As part of the settlement, Los Angeles church officials will release the personnel records of the accused priests, after a judge reviews them.
Some of the cases date back to the 1940s, and the agreement amounts to $1.3 million for each plaintiff. Lawyers will receive up to 40 percent of the settlement for their legal fees.
"Far more important than the money, though, is a critical term of this settlement, [which] provides for transparency, for sunshine, and for the release of the confidential 6 files and personnel records of the priests that were involved in molesting 7 so many children over the last five or so decades," said Ray Boucher, lead attorney for the plaintiffs.
Cardinal 8 Roger Mahony, who heads the archdiocese, sat quietly through Monday's hearing. Sunday, he apologized to the victims.
"It should not have happened, and should not ever happen again," he said.
Some angry plaintiffs say the church agreed to a settlement only as the trial date was approaching. The first case was scheduled to start this week.
The cost of the settlement will be divided among the archdiocese, insurance companies and several Catholic religious orders. Cardinal Mahony says the archdiocese will sell some property, including its headquarters, but will not close parish churches or parochial schools.
Abuse cases around the United States have cost the Catholic Church more than $2 billion.
- It was alleged that he had taken bribes while in office. 他被指称在任时收受贿赂。
- alleged irregularities in the election campaign 被指称竞选运动中的不正当行为
- I could heartily wish that more of our country clergy would follow this example.我衷心希望，我国有更多的牧师效法这个榜样。
- All the local clergy attended the ceremony.当地所有的牧师出席了仪式。
- The Russian Revolution represents a landmark in world history.俄国革命是世界历史上的一个里程碑。
- The tower was once a landmark for ships.这座塔曾是船只的陆标。
- negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
- Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。
- His bodily form, erect and looking heavenwards, admonishes him to mind the things that are above. 他躯体的形态，直立和仰向苍天，告诫他应思考天上的事物。 来自辞典例句
- The tentacle may and be only a pseudomorph, unbearable admonishes Italy. 触手可及只是假象、咫尺天涯才是箴意。 来自互联网
- He refused to allow his secretary to handle confidential letters.他不让秘书处理机密文件。
- We have a confidential exchange of views.我们推心置腹地交换意见。
- He was accused of sexually molesting a female colleague. 他被指控对一位女同事进行性骚扰。 来自辞典例句
- He was charged with molesting a woman. 他被指控调戏妇女。 来自辞典例句