Los Angeles Archdiocese Settles with Santa Barbara Residents

Nineteen of the 508 sexual abuse victims who settled with the Los Angeles Archdiocese for $660 million were living in Santa Barbara County when they were molested. The single biggest perpetrator was Father Matthew Kelly of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The settlement amounts for the Santa Barbara victims range from $200,000 to a high of $1.85 million. Cardinal Roger Mahony announced the settlement this past Saturday, two days before the first sex abuse trial involving the diocese was to begin. The church itself will pay $250 million, and its insurers will cover the rest.