Seattle Archdiocese paying $1.2 million to settle abuse case

BELLINGHAM, Wash. (AP) — The Seattle Archdiocese has agreed to pay $1.2 million to settle a lawsuit brought by a woman who said she was molested by a priest in the 1960s and '70s.

Jeri Hubbard, a 63-year-old from Sedro Woolley, sued in Whatcom County Superior Court in 2012, alleging she was abused by former priest Michael Cody, who was pastor of St. Charles Parish in Burlington and Assumption Parish in Bellingham.

In a deposition, Cody, now 84, acknowledged having inappropriately touched girls, but said he didn't have relations with Hubbard until after she turned 18.

Her lawyers, including Seattle attorney Michael Pfau and Mount Vernon attorney John Murphy, said a psychiatrist in 1962 advised then-Archbishop Thomas Connelly that Cody had molested at least eight girls. The archbishop sent Cody to treatment but allowed him to return to work.

The archdiocese acknowledged that was negligent. Spokesman Greg Magnoni said Monday the archdiocese regrets the pain it caused Hubbard.

Cody hasn't served as a priest since 1979. He was defrocked in 2005.