Judge Allows Victims To Seek Punitive Damages Against Church
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - For the first time, a judge has ruled that two alleged victims of clergy sex abuse can seek punitive damages in the ongoing suit with the Sacramento diocese.
The two claim that former priest, Gerardo Beltran molested them between 1989 and 1991, when he was at St. Joseph's Catholic Church and they claim the church covered it up.
"It's meant to deter other organizations, from behaving in the same way," said victim advocate Chico Chavez.
Ezperanza Yanez says she was one of Beltran's victims. In 2008, she told us how Beltran, a family friend, molested her in 1991 with her little brother and sister in the next room and her mother downstairs.
"A kiss on the lips, and then it started with the touching," said Yanez.
After a federal complaint, Beltran fled the country to Mexico. CBS13's Sam Shane visited his church. Beltran was no where to be found, but there, more victims came forward.
Now, the diocese is downplaying the latest development. Kevin Eckery, a spokesperson from the Catholic Church called the judge's decision, insignificant.
"It's not so much that it's historic, it's just the first time someone's done the paperwork right," said Eckery.
Still, Chavez, from a victim's support group, says the decision is in no way insignificant for the alleged victims.
"This is the first time a judge said, yes, you cannot only go after the plaintiff, but you can go after the church for bad behavior," said Chavez.
Eckery says he can't give any details on what's going on inside of mediation, but that both sides continue talking.
