New Orleans attorney fined $460,000 after exposing abusive priest says it was worth it

Attorney Richard Trahant, who faced significant legal penalties for his role in exposing an abusive clergyman, says he feels vindicated following the official classification of the late Paul Hart as a sex abuser. Among the many New Orleans attorneys navigating the complex aftermath of the archdiocesan bankruptcy, Trahant stood out for his efforts to remove Hart from his position as a high school chaplain. The archdiocese of New Orleans recently added Hart to its list of priests and deacons with credible abuse claims, a move that follows years of controversy.

The official classification of Paul Hart as a sex abuser vindicates those who previously exposed his misconduct.

Legal battles and professional costs

During the archdiocese’s 2020 bankruptcy proceedings, Trahant represented several survivors of clergy abuse. Through this work, he gained access to documents revealing that Hart had secretly admitted to sexual contact with a 17-year-old girl in the early 1990s. Despite recommendations from an advisory board to remove Hart from ministry, then-Archbishop Gregory Aymond permitted him to continue, eventually appointing him as chaplain at Brother Martin, an all-boys school, in 2017.

In 2021, Trahant alerted the school's principal to the allegations. Following this, Hart retired in early 2022. However, the legal fallout for Trahant was severe. Federal judge Meredith Grabill found that Trahant violated a confidentiality order during the process, imposing a $400,000 fine that grew to $460,000 with interest. Trahant also saw four of his clients removed from a survivor committee. Although he appealed the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court, the court declined to hear the case, forcing him to pay the levy.

Official recognition of abuse

On 6 November, the archdiocese updated its list of credibly accused clergy, adding 27 names, including Hart. This update is part of a broader $305 million settlement agreement intended to resolve the bankruptcy and provide restitution to survivors. For Trahant, the inclusion of Hart’s name serves as a final repudiation of the priest’s claims that reports of his misconduct were fabricated. While Trahant describes the situation as a Pyrrhic victory due to the high financial cost, he maintains that the outcome was worth the sacrifice.

Why it matters

The official listing of Paul Hart marks a shift toward greater transparency and accountability within the New Orleans archdiocese. This development impacts survivors seeking recognition of their experiences and highlights the long-term consequences of institutional secrecy. It underscores the challenges faced by legal advocates working to expose misconduct within religious organizations.