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	Burleigh Key Player in Diocese Negotiations By Kevin Eigelbach Kentucky Post [Kentucky] June 15, 2005 When the parties negotiating a record $120 million settlement of priest sexual abuse claims against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Covington hit a snag, they turned to one of the faithful. Bill Burleigh, the chairman of the board of the E.W. Scripps Co., which owns The Post, kept the negotiations going, say those who were involved. "We are all extremely grateful to him," said Chicago attorney Carrie Huff, who helped represent the diocese. Cincinnati attorney Stan Chesley filed a class-action lawsuit in Boone Circuit Court in February 2003, alleging that the diocese had covered up 50 years of sexual abuse. Ken Feinberg, nationally known as the special master for the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, mediated the first several rounds of settlement discussions. "We later had many, many direct discussions without a mediator," Huff said. When the negotiations reached an impasse, both sides asked Burleigh to join the talks. Burleigh, who lives in Rabbit Hash in Boone County, attends All Saints Church in Walton. He was one of the initial members of the National Review Board, a 13-member panel of lay Catholics that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops created in 2002 to implement their new policy on handling priest sexual abuse. "I've known and respected Mr. Burleigh for many years," Chesley said, but declined to comment further on the negotiations. Huff said she got to know Burleigh through his chairmanship of a panel that in February cleared the Rev. Gerald Reinersman of a sexual abuse accusation. "Both Stan and we have great respect and affection for Mr. Burleigh, so he was in a unique position to facilitate a resolution," Huff said. Without giving away any details of the talks, Huff said Burleigh's ability to find common ground and his calm temperament were a great help at a critical point. He served as a "wailing wall" for both sides, she said, someone each could complain to about the other. Burleigh also provided the sides with a neutral place to meet - the Queen City Club in Cincinnati. He was generous with his time and advice, she said, and even rearranged his schedule to facilitate an important meeting. "I am sure there were many times when he wished he could change his telephone number," she said. Burleigh confirmed Huff's account of his role in the negotiations, but said he didn't want to comment further. "I'm not Deep Throat, but there are certain things I'm going to carry to my grave," he said. He said he loves the Catholic Church and admires Covington Bishop Roger Foys, and was trying to help him and the Church. "I tried to be an honest broker," he said. "Perhaps the honest broker will be needed down the road." Special Judge John Potter refused to give preliminary approval to the settlement last week, and ordered a census of potential members of the class of victims. Attorneys for both sides have said they think they can address the judge's concerns and get the settlement approved. He has scheduled another hearing for June 23.
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