Portland, Ore., Aug 22, 2007 / 08:42 am
The Archdiocese of Portland received an $18.8-million bill from its lawyers, who worked on the archdiocese’s bankruptcy filing.
The Associated Press reported that the bill includes $10.8 million in fees and $1 million in expenses charged by four law firms representing the archdiocese, according to court documents filed Friday.
The rest are expenses and fees charged by attorneys and experts working for other parties. In U.S. Bankruptcy Court, the party seeking protection pays legal fees for both sides.
The archdiocese filed for bankruptcy in July 2004. It emerged from bankruptcy in April, after it reached a $52-million settlement with 175 people who claimed that clergy members sexually abused them. Another $20 million was set aside for future claimants.