--- description: Washington, DC attorneys at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. discuss a recent $27.5 million settlement against the Brooklyn Catholic Diocese over alleged sexual abuse. title: Brooklyn Diocese Pays $27M in Sex Abuse Case | DC Sex Abuse Attorney canonical: https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2018/09/brooklyn-catholic-diocese-agrees-to-27-5-million-sexual-abuse-settlement/ date_published: 2018-09-25T00:02:00+00:00 date_modified: 2020-04-20T02:57:21+00:00 practice_area: blog --- - Brooklyn Diocese Pays $27M in Sex Abuse Case | DC Sex Abuse Attorney [Back to CSCS Blog](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/) # Brooklyn Catholic Diocese Agrees to $27.5 Million Sexual Abuse Settlement [Home](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/) » [Recent Posts](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/) » Brooklyn Catholic Diocese Agrees to $27.5 Million Sexual Abuse Settlement [September 24, 2018](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2018/09/24/) - [Criminal Law](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/category/practice-areas/criminal-law/) The Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn has agreed to pay $27.5 million to end a lawsuit filed by four adult victims who claim they were abused by a religious teacher from the church as children. The settlement, reached on Tuesday September 19th, is one of the largest settlement awards for individual sexual abuse victims by the church in history. According to victims’ claims, former religious education director Angelo Serrano repeatedly abused students of his catechism classes at St. Lucy’s – St. Patrick’s Church in Brooklyn between 2003 and 2009, when the victims were between the ages of 8 and 12. A lawsuit filed by the victims claims that abuse occurred within the church, an affiliated after-school program, and Serrano’s apartment located in a building behind the church. After one of the victims reported the abuse to a family member in 2009, Serrano was arrested and later pleaded guilty to first-degree sexual conduct charges. He is currently serving a 15-year prison sentence. Prior to settling the lawsuit, the Diocese had disputed their liability, claiming that Serrano was not an employee, but rather a volunteer, despite the fact that he had a desk on church property and received a stipend for his leadership of the education department. A judge overseeing the case sided with the victims in allowing the lawsuit, not only because of the stipend and Serrano’s role, but also because church staff ignored clear warning signs of abuse and failed to report Serrano. ### Sexual Abuse Lawsuits: A Shifting Tide The settlement against the Brooklyn Diocese comes at a pivotal time. Today, increasing awareness of sexual assault and abuse has led to the creation of powerful activism efforts such as the Me Too movement and widespread coverage in the media, including recent reports of a Catholic Church sexual abuse scandal and cover-up in Pennsylvania spanning decades, and a heightened focus on sexual assault allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Stepping forward against wrongdoers is not an easy task, which is why sexual abuse is historically and so overwhelming underreported. However, it is one of the most courageous acts a victim can do, not only for their own pursuit of justice, but also to ensure accountability, prompt needed change, and protect others from becoming victims. This is why these types of cases, although tragic and sometimes difficult to discuss, are so crucial to shifting the tides in the fight against sexual violence, and furthering the rights of victims. ### https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/iStock-912151500-scaled-1.jpg: Our Commitment to Victims of Sexual Abuse & Assault Our legal team at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. is passionate about protecting the rights of [sexual assault](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/personal-injury/sexual-assault/) and [sexual abuse](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/sexual-abuse/) victims as they navigate the legal pathways toward the justice and compensation they deserve. By leveraging our experience, resources, and unwavering commitment to clients, we have proven our abilities in tackling challenging matters involving sexual assault and sexual abuse, including cases involving abuse committed by religious leaders and individuals in positions of authority and trust, and cases where abuse was allowed to persist due to the failures, complicity, and willful conduct those in a position to take meaningful action. This includes our representation of clients victimized by Georgetown Rabbi [Bernard Freundel](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/freundel-class-action/) and several women who brought claims against [Bill Cosby](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2015/01/partner-joseph-cammarata-files-amended-defamation-complaint-against-bill-cosby-adding-more-women-to-the-lawsuit/). Though offenders like these may often have their day in criminal court, it is important to note that victims will still need to take legal action in the civil justice system in order to recover the compensation they deserve, and in some cases hold other individuals, entities, and corporations accountable for their actions and failures to prevent or stop abuse. Civil sexual assault and sexual abuse lawsuits are challenging and emotional matters, but they can be handled effectively with the support of caring, compassionate, and experienced attorneys who fight for the best possible results. If you have questions about our firm and the legal services we provide, or if you wish to discuss a potential case confidentially with a member of our team, please call (202) 659-8600 or [contact us online](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/contact-us/) for a free consultation. Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. serves clients throughout Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC. [Contact Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C.](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/contact-us/) by phone at (202) 659-8600 to get started with your personal injury claim. Find Something Interesting? Share This post Facebook X LinkedIn Email Print ## Get free advice about the compensation you deserve. At Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., our car accident attorneys fight tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve, handling every aspect of your case to protect your rights. Trust us to stand by you and advocate aggressively on your behalf. [Free Consultation](#) #### In This Post ## Contact Us Today! "*" indicates required fields Name* First Last Name* Last Email** Phone*Are you a new client?*Are you a new client? *Yes, I'm a potential new client.No, I'm a current existing client.I'm neitherCase TypeCase TypeMotor Vehicle AccidentSlip & FallAssaultMedical MalpracticeAbuseWork InjuryOtherWere You at Fault?Were You At Fault?NoYesUnknownWhere Did The Incident Occur?Where Did The Incident Occur?Washington, D.C.VirginiaMarylandOtherDid The Accident Occur In the Last Two Years?Did The Accident Occur In the Last Two Years?YesNoShare Brief Description of the Incident* Send ## Recent Posts [Allan Siegel](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/author/asiegel/)08/22/2026 Partners Joseph Cammarata and Allan M. Siegel have again been... [Read More](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2026/08/2026-super-lawyers-top-100-cammarata-siegel/) [Allan Siegel](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/author/asiegel/)08/21/2026 By Allan M. Siegel, Partner — Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata &... 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