Jury Awards Damages in Delbarton Abuse Case

A jury awarded $5 million this week to a former student who alleges he was sexually abused many years ago at the prestigious Delbarton school in New Jersey.

The ruling came after a five-week trial in Morris County Superior Court, where an anonymous victim, referred to as TM, claimed he was abused by a monk during a New Year’s Eve celebration in 1975.

Delbarton, situated in Morristown, has a yearly tuition fee of $48,725. Following the verdict, a statement from the school expressed their disappointment.

They emphasized their sympathy for abuse victims but asserted that the damages awarded were neither fair nor reasonable.

“Notably, the jury found that neither St. Mary’s Abbey nor Delbarton School violated the New Jersey Child Sex Abuse Act, indicating that there was no knowledge of the alleged abuse and no intentional misconduct,” stated Abbot Jonathan Licari and Principal Father Michael Tidd in their letter.

The jury plans to reconvene next week to discuss punitive damages in TM’s case.

This trial marked the first time a Catholic clergy sex abuse case in New Jersey has gone to court, following a 2019 law that retroactively allowed such cases to be filed. It’s also the first of nearly 40 cases pending against Delbarton.

Additional allegations involve several clergy members at the school, including a former principal. A recent lawsuit from a former student claims he was raped and abused over 150 times by three priests while in seventh grade back in the 1970s.

Mark Crawford, director of the New Jersey Clergy Abuse Survivors Network, expressed pride in the victims for speaking out. He mentioned that this case should send a strong message to institutions about taking allegations seriously. “Survivors shouldn’t fear sharing their truths; justice will ultimately prevail,” he added.

Furthermore, a grand jury investigation may delve into the actions of Auxiliary Bishop Elias R. Lorenzo, Delbarton’s former top clergyman, regarding any cover-up of allegations during his time at the school.

Delbarton boasts a notable alumni roster that includes “Game of Thrones” actor Peter Dinklage, Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe, and the sons of former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.

A representative for TM has chosen not to comment.