The Archdiocese of Chicago is suing several individuals — including people who are relatives, friends and reputed gang members — whom it claims made false claims of sexual abuse by a defrocked priest in an effort to force a financial settlement.
In a filing made Monday in Cook County’s circuit court, the archdiocese in a couterclaim accused the unnamed defendants of a “quid pro quo” scheme in which they allegedly peddled false claims of abuse in order to extort money from the church.
“We trust and believe people when they come forward with abuse claims. These individuals have violated that trust and have attempted to take advantage of it,” James Geoly, the archdiocese’s general counsel, said in a statement. “We have a duty to oppose claims we know are false to protect and stand up for real survivors of abuse who ultimately are the ones harmed by fraud.”
According to the lawsuit, the defendants include a convicted drug dealer, a convicted murderer, two brothers who are reputed gang members as well as other friends and family members.
In one instance included in the complaint, one of the defendants allegedly falsely claimed to have been a member of a basketball team coached by Daniel McCormack — a former priest in the archdiocese and convicted sexual abuser who has been referred to as “one of the most infamous child abusers anywhere in Illinois.”
The archdiocese has received more than 100 claims of child sex abuse against McCormack and has paid millions to survivors to...
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