GOPer Johnson Opposed Bill To Crack Down On Catholic Church Abuse Scandals

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http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/09/wi-sen-goper-johnson-opposed-bill-to-crack-down-on-catholic-church-abuse-scandals.php?ref=fpb

Ron Johnson, the businessman and Republican nominee for Senate in Wisconsin against Russ Feingold, is now coming under fire for a previous foray into a public position that he took last January: When he testified against a bill that would have made it easier for adults who had been victims of childhood sexual abuse to sue the responsible organizations such as the Catholic Church.

Earlier this year, the Wisconsin legislature considered a bill as a result of the Catholic Church's abuse scandals, which would have eliminated the statute of limitations for victims to sue organizations responsible for sexual abuse, and created a three-year window for past victims to file new lawsuits. The bill, which failed to pass, was opposed by the insurance industry and church organizations -- and by Johnson, who had served on the Green Bay diocese's financial council. (Johnson is not Catholic himself, but a Lutheran.)

Johnson's testimony was first highlighted this past June by political columnist Daniel Bice of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Then in the past week, Bice again reported that the video was posted online.



Victims push Ron Johnson to urge diocese to release priests' names
http://www.jsonline.com/features/religion/104025709.html