Los Angeles Archdiocese to Release Accused Priests’ Files

Five years after settling with sex abuse victims, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles says it will release the confidential personnel files of about 200 accused priests.

Spokesman Tod Tamberg told the San Gabriel Valley Tribune on Friday that the Archdiocese will hand over the records to a judge on Dec. 10.

The newspaper says the files – with the names of innocent individuals redacted – will ultimately be made public under a record $660 million settlement the Archdiocese agreed to in 2007.

The personnel files of 13 priests were released Friday to an attorney who represents a victim allegedly abused by the Rev. Nicolas Aguilar Rivera. That case is pending and the records remain under a protective order from the court and cannot be made public.