ANDREOZZI + FOOTE
Diocese of Fresno:
Sexual Abuse Claims, Lawsuits, & Bankruptcy
Reviewed by:
Benjamin D. Andreozzi, Esq.
- Last Updated: August 6, 2025
On This Page
- Overview of the Diocese of Fresno Sexual Abuse Scandal
- Bankruptcy Filing: What It Means For Survivors
- List of Accused Priests & Clergy Members In the Diocese of Fresno
- California Statute Of Limitations On Sexual Abuse
- How Andreozzi + Foote Helps Survivors of California Clergy Sexual Abuse
- Contact Andreozzi + Foote Today
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno, California, officially filed a petition for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in early July 2025 in the face of more than 150 claims alleging sexual abuse by clergy members. Attorneys for the alleged victims of clergy sexual abuse in the Fresno Diocese say the church is not actually in poor financial health; it’s just trying to protect its assets from the debt involved in settling abuse lawsuits.
“Although the Diocese of Fresno has filed for bankruptcy, survivors still have the opportunity to seek justice. While the bankruptcy process is not perfect, it does provide an opportunity to seek accountability and compensation for horrific acts that went unchecked for decades.”
Overview of the Diocese of Fresno Sexual Abuse Scandal
Fresno’s Catholic Diocese includes over one million Catholics among 87 parishes, 21 schools, and eight California counties. Since California expanded the time limit for survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file civil lawsuits in 2019, hundreds of people have come forward with accusations of sexual abuse by clergy in various dioceses statewide, including in Fresno. Most of these allegations include priests and other clergy members, and many victims say the abuse occurred decades ago.
In 2021, the Fresno Diocese released a list of 63 clergy and lay people, including priests ordained as early as 1906, who had been credibly accused of sexually abusing children. The bankruptcy filing follows the lawsuits that came from the statute of limitations change and the list, and attorneys for the victims say the church is using delay tactics to evade justice. The Church first announced its intention to file for bankruptcy in May 2024
Bankruptcy Filing: What It Means For Survivors
Fresno’s Diocese is not the first to declare bankruptcy in the face of a wave of sexual abuse claims–as of July 2025, 41 Catholic religious organizations nationwide have sought bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11. These bankruptcies are typically used to consolidate claims and shield organizations from additional financial liability, but survivors often view them as a tactic to avoid fairly compensating victims of abuse.
Does Bankruptcy Prevent Survivors From Filing Claims?
In a Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the automatic bankruptcy stay pauses civil litigation against the bankrupt organization. However, it does not necessarily stop survivors of clergy abuse from seeking compensation. While the cases will not proceed in a typical civil courtroom, survivors can still pursue redress in bankruptcy court. Though the Fresno Diocese has not conceded responsibility in all 153 claims against it, the court will likely establish a trust fund for distribution to survivors. Unfortunately, trust fund distributions are often far less substantial than the compensation a survivor could get in a typical lawsuit settlement.
After the Diocese of Fresno’s bankruptcy proceedings begin, the court will likely impose a claims deadline for survivors to file in bankruptcy court to receive funds from the trust. Survivors must act within this legal timeline to receive any compensation. The bankruptcy process for religious organizations typically lasts several years, so the timeline for the Fresno Diocese is not yet clear.
If you or someone you know suffered abuse by a Fresno Diocese clergy member, don’t wait - bankruptcy proceedings may limit the time you have to file a claim
List of Accused Priests & Clergy Members In the Diocese of Fresno
Nearly 50 Catholic priests who served in the Diocese of Fresno have been credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor by the Diocese itself. Most priests on the list are long deceased, and others have been laicized, or removed as clergy members. Some have faced consequences from the Church or the criminal justice system for their actions. However, some are still serving in other dioceses.
Some of the most harshly punished clergy members on the list include:
- Robert Davis: ordained in 1997, laicized in 2004
- Craig F. Harrison: ordained in 1987, laicized in 2021
- Thormas Purcell: ordained in 1959, suspended from ministry in 1996, and criminally convicted of minor sexual abuse in another diocese in 2003
California Statute Of Limitations On Sexual Abuse
In 2019, lawmakers passed Assembly Bill 218, allowing child sexual assault survivors to file lawsuits until their 40th birthday or within five years of discovering the harm the abuse caused, whichever is later. Previously, California only gave victims of childhood sexual abuse until their 26th birthday to file a lawsuit.
The law also created a three-year lookback window for civil sexual abuse claims that were previously time-barred. The lookback window closed on December 31, 2022. Many of the survivors who filed lawsuits against the Fresno Diocese were only able to do so because of the lookback window.
While the window is closed and deadlines still apply in bankruptcy contexts, if you or a loved one faced childhood sexual abuse by a clergy member, you may still have options for seeking justice.
How Andreozzi + Foote Helps Survivors of California Clergy Sexual Abuse
As one of the nation’s leading law firms representing survivors of sexual abuse, Andreozzi + Foote has successfully litigated some of the highest-profile child sexual abuse cases of our time, including cases involving prominent institutions like the Catholic Church. Led by expert trauma-informed attorneys, Andreozzi + Foote is committed to creating life-changing results for survivors and their families and holding negligent institutions accountable for the harm they’ve caused.
National Experience, Survivor-Focused Approach
Andreozzi + Foote has represented survivors of clergy abuse across the country, including high-profile cases involving dioceses, religious orders, and Catholic institutions. Our attorneys understand the complex structure of the Catholic Church and the strategic tactics dioceses use, such as bankruptcy filings, to avoid accountability.
With the Diocese of Fresno now filing for bankruptcy protection, the Andreozzi + Foote team is uniquely equipped to help California survivors navigate this process and ensure their claims are heard. Our attorneys also work with local advocates and national experts, like Jeff Toppe, to build strong, survivor-centered cases.
Trauma-Informed Advocacy
We recognize that no two survivors are the same. Legal strategy is never one-size-fits-all – it’s personal. Survivors deserve to be heard in an environment that prioritizes privacy, sensitivity, and trust.
From your first call to the final resolution, Andreozzi + Foote’s skilled clergy abuse attorneys handle every case with respect and empathy, ensuring your story is treated with the dignity it deserves.
Holding The Fresno Diocese Accountable
At Andreozzi + Foote, we have a significant track record of exposing systemic cover-ups and helping survivors pursue truth, transparency, and justice. We conduct deep investigative work to uncover internal church documents, timelines of abuse, and patterns of institutional failure. Then, our trauma-informed attorneys work to secure meaningful compensation for survivors and hold the enablers accountable.
Navigating the Fresno Diocese Bankruptcy
While the Diocese of Fresno’s bankruptcy may feel like an attempt to avoid responsibility, it is not the end of the road. Survivors who come forward now may still be eligible for compensation—even if the abuse occurred decades ago.
Andreozzi + Foote’s California team works on ensuring survivors are represented in the claims process and that the voices of those abused are not silenced
Contact Andreozzi + Foote Today
With 50 years of combined experience and a proven track record of handling complex, high-stakes sexual abuse cases, Andreozzi + Foote is dedicated to uncovering the truth, exposing negligence, and ensuring justice for survivors. We exclusively focus on sexual abuse cases, and we’re committed to a holistic approach that gives survivors the legal resources and healing tools to help shift and, sometimes, change their lives.
If you or a loved one experienced sexual abuse by a clergy member in the Fresno Diocese, you’re not alone, and you have legal options for pursuing justice.
To learn more about the path forward, contact Andreozzi + Foote for a free, confidential consultation online or by calling 866-311-8640. Together, we can fight for the safety and rights of survivors.
CONTACT US TODAY
Free In-Depth,
Confidential Consultation
Empowering Survivors and Delivering Justice Nationwide
We understand the courage it takes to reach out for help, and we are here to listen. At Andreozzi + Foote, our trauma-informed attorneys are dedicated to providing compassionate, confidential support every step of the way. With extensive experience in advocating for survivors of sexual abuse, we are committed to creating a safe and supportive environment where your voice is heard and your rights are fiercely protected. Contact us today for a free, in-depth consultation and take the first step toward justice.
