Home / Crime and Justice / Attorney fined $400K for exposing priest's misconduct
Attorney fined $400K for exposing priest's misconduct
1 Jul
Summary
- US Supreme Court rejected an attorney's appeal, upholding a $400,000 fine.
- The fine stemmed from actions taken to remove a priest who admitted misconduct.
- The ruling impacts a bankruptcy case involving clergy abuse victims.
The US Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal from attorney Richard Trahant, who was fined $400,000 for his role in exposing misconduct by a Catholic priest. Trahant had taken steps to remove Paul Hart, a priest who confessed to sexual contact with a 17-year-old, from his position as a high school chaplain.
This decision by the Supreme Court on Monday closes a significant chapter in the New Orleans archdiocese's bankruptcy case, filed in 2020 due to clergy abuse. Trahant, representing abuse victims, learned of Hart's past confession during the bankruptcy proceedings. Despite the confession and advisory board recommendations, the archbishop initially allowed Hart to continue in ministry.
Hart was eventually assigned to Brother Martin High School. Trahant notified the school principal, his cousin, about allegations involving a minor, though he cited a protective order for not providing specifics. Following a media report and further revelations, the federal judge overseeing the bankruptcy fined Trahant $400,000 for violating a protective order, a decision now affirmed by the Supreme Court.
Trahant maintained he did not reveal confidential information and stated his actions were to protect children. Clients expelled from a survivors' committee due to the ruling condemned the decision, viewing it as protection for predators over children's safety. Hart passed away last year, and the archbishop retired earlier this year.
