MIAMI (CN) - The Archdiocese of Miami covered up Father Neil Doherty's sexual abuse of young boys in the 1980s, two John Doe plaintiffs claim in separate lawsuits in Miami-Dade County Court. Each plaintiff demands more $25 million for the alleged abuse they suffered as teenagers.
The plaintiffs say Doherty used his position to "gain access to young vulnerable boys," persuading them to give him sex in exchange for money and other gifts. The archdiocese knew about the priest's "history of sexual perversity and inappropriate contact with children," the suit claims, but failed to separate him from minors and hid details about his past.
Defendants are the Archdiocese of Miami and Archbishop Favalora, as corporate sole of the archdiocese.
The plaintiffs are represented by Stuart Mermelstein of Mermelstein & Horowitz P.A.
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