Hidden Assets

"You're telling me no amount I could offer would be enough?"

"If I did that, it would be I who would be negotiating in bad faith. In civil litigation like this, the relief sought is measured by money damages, so yes, there is an amount my clients would be prepared to accept as settlement. At one of the meetings held by Judge Anderson in 2004, when he was trying to get that unctuous idiot from the insurance company to contribute something, I told everyone, including your Bishop Menusa, that a settlement averaging $1 million per victim would be acceptable. But the insurance company refused to negotiate and Bishop Menusa embarked upon a road of incredible stonewalling and hostility." The attorney paused, and Monsignor Nixon closed his eyes as he waited for the demand. "Well, times have changed, haven't they? Given the recent legal developments, I would not now recommend to my clients accepting any off er less than one averaging $3.1 million each."

All remaining color blanched from the monsignor's face: $3.1 million per plaintiff! Incredible! "That's ... that's ... half a billion dollars." Monsignor Nixon gasped. "You can't be serious. The diocese could never possibly afford that."