Two seminarians, who were training to become priests were staying with the parents of the then, 12-year-old girl in Lincoln.
The Priest accused in the claim is Scott Courtney, who has ministered in several parishes and taught at several high schools within the Lincoln Diocese.
In exchange for the woman giving up any legal claims she may have against the Diocese of Lincoln, even after the statute of limitations had long expired, the church agreed to pay whatever amount a third party administrator determined was appropriate.
Following an investigation and review, the retired federal judge ruled for a payment of $75 thousand should be paid to the Iowa woman. The settlement was not disclosed in the diocese statement about Courtney.
Since the statute of limitations had expired, Courtney was never arrested or charged with a crime.
Courtney was also alleged to have had sexual contact with an adult woman. In 2025, Courtney denied the allegations from the woman.
