Kentucky diocese settles abuse claims for $120 million News
Kentucky diocese settles abuse claims for $120 million

[JURIST] In the biggest settlement yet in the Catholic clergy child sex abuse scandal [JURIST news archive], the Kentucky Roman Catholic Diocese of Covington [official website] agreed on Friday to set up a $120 million fund to pay victims. A judge must approve the settlement, which would end a class-action lawsuit [Kentucky Post report] brought by more than 100 alleged victims who accuse the diocese of a 50-year cover-up of abuses. Compensation will range from $5,000 to $450,000 per victim, with $40 million coming from church real estate and investments and $80 million from insurance. The Covington Diocese has issued a press statement on the settlement. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Supreme Court ruled corporations due equal protection rights

On May 10, 1886, the US Supreme Court ruled in Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Railroad Company that corporations were "persons" within the terms of the Fourteenth Amendment, and therefore were due rights of equal protection under state law.

Nelson Mandela became first black president of South Africa

On May 10, 1994, Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as the first black President of South Africa. Before becoming President, Mandela was an anti-Apartheid leader in segregated South Africa. He served twenty-seven years in prison before his release in 1990, after which he was elected president of the country. Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.

Read a biography of Nelson Mandela from the Nobel Foundation.