Chicago Sex Abuse Lawyers File 4th Daniel McCormack Lawsuit Against Chicago Archdiocese

Chicago Sex Abuse Lawyers File 4th Daniel McCormack Lawsuit Against Chicago Archdiocese Priest sexual abuse attorneys at Abels & Annes, working with co-counsel, today filed a fourth claim in court against the Chicago Archdiocese stemming from abuse committed by former priest Daniel McCormack. The Archdiocese of Chicago, the Catholic Bishop of Chicago and Cardinal Francis George are named defendants. The lawsuit was filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County. To protect the identity of the victim, the lawsuit was filed on behalf of John R. Doe. The complaint alleges that the plaintiff was a minor boy who attended St. Agatha’s parish and who was coached in basketball and befriended by McCormack. During interactions with the child in or about 5th grade (2003-04) and 6th grade (2004-05), and possibly 7th grade (2005-2006), McCormack inappropriately sexually touched, hugged, rubbed, and/or otherwise sexually abused John R. Doe. In addition, during the priest’s interactions with the minor, McCormack exerted an inappropriate physical presence on John R. Doe with repeated hugs, pats, and rubs. The lawsuit alleges that Archdiocese officials failed to remove the priest from his position after gaining knowledge that he had a history of complaints against him for inappropriate sexual conduct all the way back to his time in seminary. It is also alleged that the Church failed to conform authorities about his behavior or warn the public. Instead they ordained him as a priest and continued to promote him until he was finally named Pastor of St. Agatha’s in 2000. There he was both a basketball coach and teacher. There the priest sexually abused minors during his time at St. Agatha and the Archdiocese did not properly look into claims about McCormack. They did not notify police or warn parents and chose to let him continue to supervise and teach minor boys. Even after he was arrested by the Chicago Police Department and there was a recommendation by a review board for his removal in October of 2005, he was not removed until January 2006 when he was taken into police custody for the second time. As of today McCormack is still incarcerated. In 2007 he admitted guilt to criminal charges of sexually abusing five boys and he was sentenced to five years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. The Law Offices of Abels & Annes, P.C., William F. Martin, and Hilfman & Head, P.C. are working together as co-counsel on this case. In 2011, the above law firms settled the first lawsuit they filed against the Archdiocese of Chicago, Cardinal George, and the Catholic Bishop of Chicago involving sexual abuse of a minor boy by former Rev. Daniel McCormack for $3.2 million dollars, $300,000 of which was placed in escrow for services. The identity of the plaintiff and his family remain confidential.