Abuse Cases Against California Jehovah’s Witnesses Congregations Settled

Two men who say they were sexually abused by a leader at Jehovah’s Witnesses congregations in San Diego, Calif. in the 1990s have settled their lawsuits against the church’s governing body.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that the settlements were finalized last week. Both sides say they aren’t authorized to discuss the terms.

A New York state appeals court in November upheld $4,000-a-day penalty against Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York for failing to comply with a court order to hand over internal documents about knowledge of church leaders who had been accused of sexually abusing children.

Both plaintiffs say church elders knew of the abuse as early as 1982 but covered it up and allowed the leader to keep working with children.