Nevada justices hear appeal in priest abuse award
CARSON CITY — An attorney representing the Green Bay, Wis., Catholic Diocese argued before the Nevada Supreme Court on Tuesday that the religious organization should not have to pay $500,000 to a Las Vegas man who said a priest groped him at age 13.
Peter Mazzeo, a Las Vegas attorney representing the diocese, told the court in oral arguments that the victim, identified in court documents as John Doe 119, did not file his legal action in time. The incident dated back to 1984 but the lawsuit was not filed until 2008. The victim attempted suicide in 1991.
Mazzeo also argued that the Nevada court system did not have jurisdiction in the case because the Green Bay Diocese did not have any authority or control over the priest, John Patrick Feeney.
He also argued the diocese was not liable for the actions of Feeney.
The court, which will issue a written decision later, gave no indication of how it will rule.
A Las Vegas jury in 2012 awarded the victim the $500,000, $200,000 for past pain and suffering and $300,000 in future medical expenses.
But after a monthlong trial before former Clark County District Judge Valorie Vega, the jury found the Green Bay Diocese did not commit fraud and did not award punitive damages.
The diocese appealed the verdict.
Attorney Michael Finnegan, representing the victim, said the Green Bay Diocese was responsible for Feeney’s actions even outside the diocese.
The diocese could have recalled him at any time, he told the court.
“He should never have gotten to this community,” Finnegan said.
There were reports dating back to the 1960s that Feeney had molested children, he said.
The victim had also sued Feeney, the bishop of Las Vegas and the Catholic Diocese of Reno-Las Vegas, but those cases were dismissed.
The man alleged that the Feeney fondled him after they attended a University of Nevada, Las Vegas football game in 1984. At the time Feeney was pastor at St. Francis de Sales church near Washington Avenue and Decatur Boulevard.
Feeney was convicted in 2004 of molesting two brothers in 1978 in Wisconsin and given a 15-year prison sentence. He was released in 2011.
John Doe 119 came forward after learning of a news conference in 2008 in Las Vegas by Survivors of those Abused by Priests.
Contact Sean Whaley at swhaley@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3900. Find him on Twitter: @seanw801.
