Date: 06-21-2005

Case Style: Joseph Finley v. Roman Catholic Diocese of Victoria

Case Number: Unknown

Judge: Paula Casey

Court: Superior Court, Thurston County, Washington

Plaintiff's Attorney:

Randolph I. Gordon of Gordon Edmunds Elder PLLC, Bellevue, Washington

Defendant's Attorney:

Richard M. Clinton of Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Seattle, Washington

Description:

Joseph Finley sued the Roman Catholic Diocese of Victoria for breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty. Finley invested in a property in Lacey, Washington with Remi De Roo, Bishop of Victoria in the 1990s. Bishop De Roo loaned $600,000 of church money to Mr. Finley for an Arabian horse-breeding venture that failed. Mr. Finley then proposed buying, developing and selling the 160 acre property to pay off his debt and accrued interest, which the diocese estimated at $3.2-million. The Biship co-signed a note with Finley for $5.3 million which was subsequently increased to $7.5 million to obtain money for debt service. The property eventually went into bankruptcy after Re Roo retired and his successor refused to invest any more money in the venture. A Victoria then group raised money to take control of the property and protect the Church.

The defenses asserted by the defendant are not available.

Outcome: Plaintiff's verdict for $8.2-million for breach of contract, plus $4.2-million for breach of fiduciary duty or trust.

Plaintiff's Experts: Unknown

Defendant's Experts: Unknown

Comments: None