Seton Hall University must turn over an unredacted copy of its 2019 report on sexual abuse that said its current president did not properly report allegations to an Essex County judge.
After two-plus hours of arguments in Newark, Superior Court Judge Avion Benjamin ruled that Seton Hall violated a previous discovery order that entities connected to the Archdiocese of Newark must produce a wide range of documents concerning clergy abuse in a sprawling case now before her.
Lawyers for alleged victims in that case did not know of details until POLITICO’s reporting about the new president, Monsignor Joseph Reilly, who was himself not accused of abuse. As a result, Benjamin ordered Seton Hall to produce documents but the university tried to stop it.
Tuesday’s ruling means the judge will determine what is privileged and what information should be shared with alleged victims’ lawyers, known as the Plaintiffs Liaison Counsel, or PLC. Her ruling is a procedural but key victory for them. Brad Rice, speaking for the group, said: “The PLC’s position was vindicated today. Seton Hall violated an order four years ago.”
Benjamin also said the university must provide a privilege log to the attorneys representing alleged victims to explain why Seton Hall would seek to keep information private. The judge did not set a timeline for Seton Hall to provide the documents. —Dustin Racioppi
After two-plus hours of arguments in Newark, Superior Court Judge Avion Benjamin ruled that Seton Hall violated a previous discovery order that entities connected to the Archdiocese of Newark must produce a wide range of documents concerning clergy abuse in a sprawling case now before her.
Lawyers for alleged victims in that case did not know of details until POLITICO’s reporting about the new president, Monsignor Joseph Reilly, who was himself not accused of abuse. As a result, Benjamin ordered Seton Hall to produce documents but the university tried to stop it.
Tuesday’s ruling means the judge will determine what is privileged and what information should be shared with alleged victims’ lawyers, known as the Plaintiffs Liaison Counsel, or PLC. Her ruling is a procedural but key victory for them. Brad Rice, speaking for the group, said: “The PLC’s position was vindicated today. Seton Hall violated an order four years ago.”
Benjamin also said the university must provide a privilege log to the attorneys representing alleged victims to explain why Seton Hall would seek to keep information private. The judge did not set a timeline for Seton Hall to provide the documents. —Dustin Racioppi
