Covington Diocese sex abuse settlement - 1 year later

COVINGTON, Ky. - For years we've heard the emotional stories of men and women sexually abused, in their teens, within the Diocese of Covington. However, family members of those victims have kept quiet about their own pain and suffering – until now.

Victims' cries weren't clearly heard until the 2002 installation of Roger Foys as bishop.

He met many of them and helped settle the country's only class action sex abuse lawsuit.

Most victims still won't talk about their experiences and many haven't even told family members.

One told his wife – and while she didn't want her name used or face shown – she wants to prevent others from experiencing what she went through. She made the decision to take her story public.

On May 28, 2009, years of legal wrangling produced a $90 million dollar victims' fund.

Emotions flowed freely in a Boone County courtroom from one of the abused.

"A few tears, but basically we got justice for the first time," said one of the plaintiffs.

Four-hundred people applied for compensation – 250 claims were judged valid for abuse that occurred from 1948 through 1994.

Plaintiff's attorney Bob Steinberg says 80 diocesan employees were involved.

"While the majority were priests, there were nuns, there were brothers and there were employees such as teachers or coaches,” said Steinburg.

This woman, we'll call "Sue" wasn't a victim, but her husband, whom we'll call "Bill," was.

Settlement records show the late Reverend James Kleman abused ‘Bill’ 50 times from 1958 through 1961.

"He never told his parents,” said ‘Sue.’ “They died not knowing that he was abused."

Covington Catholic High School was the site of some of ‘Bill's’ abuse, according to case documents. That's where Father Kleman taught Latin and religion.

The rectory at Saint Anthony Church in Taylor Mill was another abuse site validated by the courts.

"Pastor walked in on them during the abuse and he just turned around and walked out,” said ‘Sue.’ “Nothing was ever done."

‘Bill’ and ‘Sue’ were married 30 years before he ever told her what happened.

When asked what impact it had on their marriage, ‘Sue” replied, “What it does is take away their ability to trust people.”

Joining the court case unlocked the mystery for ‘Sue.’

“I finally realized – oh my gosh – that's why he never trusted me. It wasn't me,” she said.

But, those court proceedings couldn't prepare her for ‘Bill's’ nightmares.

“He'd be sleeping, but he'd be above me in bed and he was ready to punch me,” said ‘Sue.’ “It was somebody in his dream he was going to hit, but I was going to be the one that was going to get punched.”

Bishop Roger Foys, who agreed to the settlement fund, won lofty praise from the couple.

"He was very compassionate and I think he did good,” she said.

Retired E.W. Scripps Company chairman Bill Burleigh, who served as co-special master overseeing victims' claims, also holds the bishop in high regard.

"He's a hero who will never get the kind of credit he deserves for what he did and he's not looking for the credit,” Burleigh said.

Burleigh and retired federal Judge Thomas Lambros reviewed evidence against each abuser in deciding victims' compensation.

“Does it make you angry? Yes, certainly!,” Burleigh said. “I wanted to strangle some of them, but, at the end of the day I think the Lord has taken care of all of us.”

Burleigh acknowledged some people may never reach forgiveness and reconciliation in their hearts.

“I encountered the presence of evil in ways that maybe I hadn't encountered as a newspaper reporter or corporate person,” Burleigh said. “However, I think the church purified itself in the process. It's a better church for having faced up to this terrible scandal.”

’Bill’ was awarded a substantial settlement, but the amount is confidential. Victims' awards ranged from $5,000 to $1 million.

Steinberg told 9 News that 200 other possible victims contacted him, but didn't file claims because of privacy concerns.

Court records remain sealed.

9 News requested an interview with Bishop Foys for this story, but that has not been granted so far.