A lawsuit filed by the Archdiocese of Chicago alleges a group of individuals conspired to bring false sexual abuse allegations against convicted child molester and defrocked priest Daniel McCormack to win millions in legal settlements.
The alleged participants — including reputed gang members and a convicted murderer — referred to the false claims as a “lick,” which is a street term for theft or robbery, the lawsuit states.
One man was recorded on a phone call while in state prison saying, “I got to get on the money train, man,” according to the suit, which was filed Monday in Cook County Circuit Court. The man on the other line responded, “Hell, yeah, I need some ass-free money, too. As long as [McCormack] ain’t got to touch me for real, I don’t give a - - - -.”
The lawsuit is a counterclaim against several cases involving McCormack that were filed in late December and are still pending, according to court records. The allegations in the lawsuit don’t address McCormack’s past victims.
“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, general counsel for the archdiocese, 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.”
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