Sexual Abuse and Assault Injury Lawyers
Archdiocese of Los Angeles Sexual Abuse Allegations
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles sexual abuse allegations have drawn national attention for decades, with hundreds of survivors coming forward to share their experiences of sex abuse and other forms of misconduct within the Roman Catholic Church.
Public disclosures have raised concerns about suspected child abuse, prompting renewed calls to protect children and closely examine cases of alleged abuse, as part of the archdiocese’s ongoing effort to address past failures and create a safe environment to prevent future harm.
At Injury Lawyer Team, we represent sexual abuse victims seeking accountability from the Los Angeles Archdiocese, religious orders, and individual clergy accused of sexually abusing children and young people.
Our team is committed to helping survivors of clergy abuse and holding abusive priests, church officials, and institutions responsible. Whether the abuse occurred years ago or more recently, we stand by survivors and fight to ensure their voices are heard.
Who Are the Priests Accused of Child Sexual Abuse in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles?
Bishop Accountability Records of Accused Priests
Reports and public records compiled by Bishop Accountability have identified numerous clergy accused of child sexual abuse in California, linked to the allegations across the Archdiocese of LA. Many of these individuals have faced accusations of child molestation, sexual misconduct, and other forms of abuse, often while serving in Catholic schools or Los Angeles parishes.
While the complete list is extensive, here are just a few of the many clergy members identified on record:
- Fr. Rubin Abaya
- Bishop Juan Arzube
- Former Priest Michael Baker
- Fr. Victor Balbin
- Fr. Kevin P. Barmasse
- Fr. Robert Boley
- Br. Bernard (Lawrence Maria) Brown
- Fr. Michael Daniel Buckley
- Fr. Angel Cruces
- Fr. John H. Dawson
- Fr. Edward J. Dober
- Fr. Albert Joseph Duggan
- Fr. Mark A. Falvey
- Fr. James Michael Ford
- Fr. Peter Edward Garcia
- Br. Michael Geilenfeld
- Fr. Roderic M. Guerrini
- Fr. Clinton Vincent Hagenbach
- Fr. Benjamin G. Hawkes
- Fr. Richard Allen Henry
- Fr. Luis Jaramillo
- Fr. Matthew H. Kelly
- Fr. Jerold W. Lindner
- Fr. Theodore Llanos
- Fr. Lawrence Joseph Lovell
- Fr. Denis Lyons
- Fr. Richard M. Martini
- Fr. Leonardo G. Mateo
- Fr. Martin McKeon
- Fr. Titian Athos Miani
- Fr. Daniel J. Murray
- Fr. Martin O’Loghlen
- Fr. Samuel Orellana Mendoza
- Fr. Eleuterio V. Ramos
- Fr. Carlos Rene Rodriguez
- Fr. Manuel Ontiveros Sanchez
- Fr. George M. Scott
- Fr. Stephen Emmett Speciale
- Fr. Matthew Michael Sprouffske
- Fr. Leo (Vincent) Van ter Toolen
- Fr. Michael Edwin Wempe
- Fr. Philip Mark Wolfe
Many of these individuals were accused of molesting children, sexually abusing altar boys, or engaging in other forms of sexual misconduct while in active ministry in the Archdiocese of LA.
Their names appear in lawsuits, media investigations, and church-released personnel files. Despite the public outcry and growing awareness, questions remain about how many of these priests were shielded or quietly transferred to other parishes.
Childhood Sexual Abuse Settlements Involving the Los Angeles Archdiocese
Public records, court filings, and church disclosures show that the church paid substantial settlements to resolve sexual abuse claims involving catholic bishops, monsignors, and priests serving in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and related religious orders.
- Fr. George Michael Miller – Miller faced sexual abuse allegations from at least six victims and was criminally convicted. His cases were included in a $60 million settlement in 2006, a $660 million settlement in 2007, and a $13 million payout in 2014. He was laicized in 2005 and later sentenced to three years in prison.
- Fr. Michael Stephen Nocita – Nocita was accused of sexually molesting three minors between 1975 and 1985. Allegations were reported to the civil authorities in 1988, and he was removed from the ministry in 1991. Claims were included in the $660 million settlement in 2007 and a $13 million settlement in 2014. He was laicized in 2006.
- Fr. George Neville Rucker – Rucker was credibly accused of abusing at least 38 children, primarily girls, beginning in the 1950s. Criminal charges were dismissed due to the statute of limitations. Civil claims were settled in the $60 million agreement in 2006 and the $660 million settlement in 2007. He was laicized in 2008 and died in 2014.
- Fr. Fidencio Simon Silva-Flores – Silva-Flores was accused of abusing up to 28 boys between 1979 and 1985. Criminal sexual abuse charges were dismissed in 2003. His claims were resolved in the $660 million settlement in 2007. He was later found working in a church in Mexico despite warnings and restrictions from the Archdiocese.
- Br. William Stadtfeld – Stadtfeld was accused of abusing two sisters between 1958 and 1966. A civil suit was filed and later resolved through the $660 million settlement in 2007. He died in 2001. His name appears in Archdiocesan records and personnel files released during ongoing legal proceedings.
- Fr. Santiago L. Tamayo – Tamayo was accused of abusing a teenage girl, resulting in pregnancy. He fled to the Philippines, where he died. Claims were part of a $500,000 group settlement included in the $660 million payout in 2007. His personnel file also included sexual abuse allegations involving a male victim.
- Fr. Valentine Tugade – Tugade was part of the same group case as Tamayo, involving the sexual assault of a teenage girl. DNA testing confirmed he fathered her child. Claims were settled for $500,000, included in the Archdiocese’s $660 million agreement in 2007.
- Bishop George Patrick Ziemann – Ziemann was accused of abusing a boy beginning in 1968 and was named in a 2003 conspiracy suit. Claims tied to Ziemann were included in the Archdiocese’s $660 million global settlement in 2007 involving the other seven priests. He resigned as bishop in 1999 and died in 2009.
How Long Do Clergy Abuse Victims Have to Take Legal Action?
California’s Assembly Bill Pertaining to Child Sexual Abuse Cases
California’s Assembly Bill 218, which took effect on January 1, 2020, opened a special three-year window allowing survivors of child sexual abuse to file civil lawsuits, even if the legal deadline for their claims had previously passed. That window, which closed on December 31, 2022, led to a significant number of lawsuits filed against the Archdiocese of LA.
Although that revival window has ended, survivors connected to the LA Archdiocese may still have legal options. The statute of limitations for cases involving clergy sexual abuse now allows individuals to file a claim up until their 40th birthday, or within five years of discovering that the abuse led to long-term emotional or psychological harm, whichever period is longer.
How a Los Angeles Clergy Abuse Attorney Can Help
Working with our California clergy abuse law firm can make a critical difference for survivors seeking accountability from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Our experienced attorneys understand the unique legal and emotional challenges involved in these cases.
Whether you’re filing a claim against the archdiocese, a religious order, or an individual priest, our legal team can help gather evidence, access church records, and handle communications with opposing counsel. Survivors often face pushback from officials or insurance representatives; our attorneys will fight to protect your rights every step of the way.
Book a Free Consultation
If you’re considering legal action against the LA Archdiocese for clergy abuse, our sexual abuse law firm is here to stand with you. Even if the abuse occurred decades ago, you may still have a valid claim under California law. We offer free, confidential consultations to help you understand your legal options.
Our legal team can review your case, explain your rights, and help you take the next step toward accountability and compensation. There are no legal fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf. Reach out today to schedule your free consultation.
Other Southern California Dioceses Where We Can Help You File Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Claims
All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.