Two brothers receive nearly $2 million in church abuse case

Hayward, California --

Despite receiving far less money than they sought for the sexual abuse they suffered at the hands of a priest more than two decades ago, brothers Bob and Tom Thatcher were pleased with the jury's verdict.

The Thatchers were awarded nearly $2 million in damages by a jury Wednesday in a case that was closely watched because it was the first in a series of sex-abuse lawsuits to seek punitive damages.

"We exposed a lot of wrongdoing," Tom Thatcher said. "The church was called despicable on the record. They say they have changed their ways and I hope they have."

Bob Thatcher, 34, was awarded $875,000 in compensatory damages and $875,000 in punitive damages. Tom, 33, was awarded $180,000 in compensatory damages and no punitive damages were sought in his case.

Read the article at sfgate.com Dated April 14, 2005

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