A New Orleans attorney was punished for exposing a clergy abuser. Here’s what officials hid for years

Richard Trahant appeals to supreme court after he was fined $400,000 for helping get priest removed from school – and the record of his sanction was placed under seal

A New Orleans attorney was punished for exposing a clergy abuser. Here’s what officials hid for years

TL;DR

  • Attorney Richard Trahant was fined $400,000 for helping to get Catholic priest Paul Hart removed from a high school chaplaincy.
  • Hart had faced accusations of inappropriate conduct with a minor and other misconduct.
  • A federal judge sealed the record of Trahant's sanction, but the Guardian obtained the case file.
  • Trahant is appealing to the US Supreme Court, arguing he was denied due process.
  • The case involves allegations of misconduct within the Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans and its handling of abuse claims.