US EditionAttorneys: Sexual Abuse Settlement Reached with Albany Diocese
The $8 million settlement with Michael Harmon aims to avoid trial risks and marks a key step toward resolving over 400 pending abuse cases against the Albany Diocese.
- On Thursday, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany agreed to pay $8 million to resolve Michael Harmon's abuse claim just days before the trial set for Monday.
- Harmon filed in 2020 under New York's Child Victims Act, alleging Father Edward Charles Pratt abused him from ages 11 to 16 while Pratt was vice chancellor.
- Evidence presented to lawyers states abuse occurred in the Chancery in Albany where Pratt lived across from Bishop Howard Hubbard, with Harmon testifying he stayed there multiple nights weekly.
- The diocese said the settlement is provisional and subject to Bankruptcy Court approval, with insurers excluded; if unapproved, the case is tentatively set for trial on February 23, 2026, among seven cases while more than 400 remain stayed.
- Plaintiffs' lawyers said the settlement is a step toward accountability and could set a precedent, while Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala PLLC called the outcome a `landmark` to avoid risking a jury trial.
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WNYT NewsChannel 13
BishopAccountability.org - Documenting the Catholic Sexual Abuse and Financial Crisis - Data on bishAlbany Catholic Diocese to pay $8M to settle sex abuse claim
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany just agreed to pay $8 million to settle one case of sexual abuse committed by one of their former priests.The lawsuit was scheduled to go to trial on Monday.The victim said he was just 11 years old when the abuse began. He claims Father Edward Charles Pratt molested him until he was 16 years old.
catholicworldreport.com
Catholic News AgencyNew York man receives $8 million from Diocese of Albany in abuse settlement
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany, NY. / Drew Proto via Flickr (CC BY-ND 2.0) CNA Staff, Oct 17, 2025 / 15:09 pm (CNA). A New York man has received an $8 million settlement from the Diocese of Albany over claims that he was a... [...]
Albany Diocese settles child sex abuse case for $8 million
ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Attorneys from Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala PLLC announced on Friday morning that the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany settled for $8 million in a child sexual abuse lawsuit. This was settled on the eve of a jury trial and is one of seven individual lawsuits. Download our WTEN+ streaming app on Roku, Fire TV and Apple TV! The case was settled on Thursday night, marking the first settlement out of seven. There are cu…
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