The Roman Catholic Diocese of Davenport wants to hire a private investigator to check into claims of sexual abuse by priests.
The diocese filed bankruptcy last fall after facing a growing number of sex abuse lawsuits and losing a decision in a jury trial. Since then, more complaints of abuse have been reported and the diocese is seeking permission from the bankruptcy court to hire a private investigator to look into them.
In the motion, the diocese said it doesn’t have staff trained to handle the complaints.
“In order to provide prompt protection of minors, it is necessary for the diocese to employ private investigators in order to undertake these investigations,” the motion states.
In the motion, the diocese said it would pay the investigator $110 per hour.
Craig Levien, a Davenport attorney who represents some of the creditors, said his clients favor the investigations.
“We always think its good to investigate, but it’s the secrecy of the investigations we object to,” he said. “We want access to the investigations in the past and the present.”
All fees and expenses paid to the investigator will be subject to court approval.
