The Archdiocese of Chicago has taken legal action against a group of individuals accused of orchestrating a fraudulent scheme to secure compensation by submitting false abuse claims against a former priest.
In a statement released on Monday, the Archdiocese revealed that it filed a lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court, seeking both damages and an injunction against the participants involved in the alleged racketeering enterprise.
The lawsuit claims that the individuals worked together to fabricate over a dozen abuse allegations against disgraced former priest Daniel McCormack.
A Long History of Allegations Against McCormack
McCormack, who served as a priest in the Archdiocese of Chicago, was convicted and sentenced to over a decade in prison after pleading guilty to charges of child abuse.
The claims against him were serious, and the case garnered widespread attention.
However, the Archdiocese now alleges that some individuals took advantage of McCormack’s past to file fraudulent abuse claims, seeking compensation from the Church under false pretenses.
Alleged Fraudulent Scheme Involving Felons and Gang Members
According to the Archdiocese, the people behind the fraudulent claims are linked by gang affiliations, family ties, or personal friendships.
Some of these individuals, including convicted felons and even a convicted murderer, allegedly colluded to file false abuse claims against McCormack, fabricating stories of harm and embellishing supposed injuries.
The group reportedly communicated with each other through prison phone calls, with some individuals admitting they had never even attended McCormack’s church or participated in any programs associated with him, yet still managed to receive financial compensation.
The Broader Implications of the Fraudulent Claims
The Archdiocese emphasizes that this lawsuit is about exposing a criminal enterprise that has been operating within their community.
The scheme is said to have not only resulted in financial losses for the Church but also complicated efforts to investigate legitimate abuse claims.
According to James Geoly, an attorney for the Archdiocese, fraudulent claims create a significant burden for survivors who have genuinely suffered abuse.
As a result, all claims now face a more thorough investigation, which can slow down the process for those with real cases.
Exposing a Growing Problem
This lawsuit, which follows previous rulings on other fraudulent abuse cases in Cook County Circuit Court, underscores the growing problem of fraudulent claims within the broader context of abuse allegations.
The Archdiocese’s statement urges the public to recognize the serious nature of these actions, not just as a financial issue for the Church, but as a way to protect the integrity of investigations into abuse and ensure that real survivors get the attention they deserve.
The Archdiocese is committed to focusing on supporting genuine survivors while taking firm action against those seeking to exploit the system for personal gain.