Mater Dei allegedly protected 13 sex predators, suit claims

A new lawsuit taking aim at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana is alleging decades of sexual abuse in the wake of a multi-million-dollar settlement to a school official's alleged victim.

One day after an announced $3.5 million settlement with a man who alleged he was sexually abused by Michael Harris, a former priest and vice principal of the school, Mater Dei again faced allegations, this time from attorney Jeff Anderson.

According to Anderson and his fellow attorneys, Mater Dei employed "13 known predators" who perpetrated "decades of child sexual abuse."

“We will unveil the breadth and depth of the debauchery and deception at Mater Dei," Anderson said in a news release announcing a Wednesday press conference.

The Diocese of Orange, which oversees Mater Dei, has not admitted any culpability related to these allegations, and officials planned to take the case involved in the $3.5 million settlement to trial, Diocese officials said in a statement.

“The Diocese vigorously defended this decades-old claim and was prepared to take it to trial,” Gonzales said. “However, all parties — the plaintiff, the Diocese’s insurers, and the Diocese — agreed that a pre-trial settlement was most beneficial to everyone involved. The Diocese’s insurers funded the settlement entirely, and we are grateful for their participation.

“In all claims alleging child sexual abuse, the Diocese is committed to seeking justice, fostering healing and providing unwavering support for survivors," the statement added.