550 Seeking Restitution from Milwaukee Archdiocese

A bankruptcy lawyer says about 550 people are asking for restitution for alleged sexual abuse by clergy in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

Attorney James Stang said Wednesday that’s more than in any of the other U.S. dioceses that have filed for bankruptcy protection. Stang represents creditors in the case.

The Milwaukee Archdiocese filed for bankruptcy protection last year, saying pending sex-abuse lawsuits could leave it with debts it couldn’t afford.

The archdiocese has paid more than $30 million in settlements and other court costs related to alleged clergy abuse. More than a dozen sex abuse suits against it have been halted because of the bankruptcy proceedings. They include allegations against a priest accused of abusing some 200 boys at a school for deaf students from 1950 to 1974.