Judge Denies Access to Sealed Milwaukee Archdiocese Records

Wisconsin Attorney General's request to review sealed documents in clergy abuse investigation is rejected by federal judge.

U.S. District Judge G. Michael Halfenger denied Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul's request to access sealed bankruptcy records from the Milwaukee Archdiocese.
Judge Halfenger described the request as a 'massive fishing expedition,' citing the extensive scope and lack of compelling justification.
The sealed records are part of a 2016 settlement in which the archdiocese paid $21 million to hundreds of survivors of clergy sexual abuse.
Attorney General Kaul argued that reviewing the documents could aid in understanding the extent of clergy abuse over past decades.
The archdiocese and advocates for survivors expressed relief, noting that unsealing the records could breach confidentiality agreements with survivors.