The Boston Archdiocese and lawyers representing over 500 alleged victims of clergy sex abuse have reportedly reached a tentative settlement of $85 million. This news from the Associated Press comes only days after negotiations were abruptly halted by the victims’ lawyers out of concern over media leaks. AP reports that a source close to the proceedings said that a tentative agreement was made late Monday, but it will not be finalized until they have a written document signed by the representatives on both sides. A spokesperson for the archdiocese issued a statement denying these reports, AP reports.
Over the last two weeks, both sides have been working to settle on an amount between the $55 million archdiocese’s original offer and the $90-$120 million sought by the victims.