Legal Ruling May Force Seton Hall University to Disclose Hidden Sex Abuse Report

Court Moves Toward Unsealing Seton Hall’s Secret Sex Abuse Report

In a significant legal development that could expose decades of institutional cover-up, a New Jersey Superior Court judge has ordered Seton Hall University to turn over a confidential investigative report on clergy sex abuse allegations. The document, known as the Latham report, may shed light on what Seton Hall and the Archdiocese of Newark knew—and failed to disclose—about sexual misconduct within its clergy and seminary.

The ruling by Judge Avion M. Benjamin on Tuesday signals a potential turning point for survivors and their advocates. While the report remains sealed for now, the court’s decision to review the unredacted document could lead to greater transparency, accountability, and justice for the hundreds of plaintiffs suing the Archdiocese of Newark for sexual abuse.

At Survivors of Abuse NJ, our team, led by Joseph L. Messa, Jr., Esq., continues to advocate for the release of records that could support the claims of victims who have long been denied the truth.

The Controversial Latham Report and Its Ties to Seton Hall’s Leadership

The Latham report was commissioned by Seton Hall in 2019 to review the university's handling of sexual abuse allegations, particularly those connected to disgraced former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who led the Archdiocese of Newark for 14 years before being defrocked in 2018.

According to reports by Politico New Jersey, the Latham report implicates Monsignor Joseph Reilly, who previously ran Seton Hall’s seminary and is now the university’s president. The report allegedly states that Reilly was aware of sexual misconduct claims involving seminarians but failed to report them. Despite this, Seton Hall elevated Reilly to its highest position in 2024.

Internal letters from 2019 and 2020 appear to confirm that university officials were aware of Reilly’s inaction regarding sexual abuse claims.

A Systemic Pattern of Secrecy

Seton Hall's legal team argues that the Latham report is protected by attorney-client privilege and should remain confidential. However, Judge Benjamin expressed skepticism during court hearings, pointing out that the report was never disclosed despite prior court orders requiring the university to submit relevant internal documents.

Attorneys representing abuse survivors say this secrecy reflects a broader pattern within the Archdiocese of Newark and its affiliated institutions. “The Catholic Church has always suggested that sexual abuse is just an isolated, bad apple,” said plaintiffs’ attorney John Baldante. “Our argument in this litigation is that it’s not just a bad apple. It’s an orchard.”

Another plaintiffs’ attorney, Gabriel Magee, criticized the university’s persistent efforts to suppress the report:

“They’re claiming a common interest with the Vatican in preventing child sex abuse, but their legal fight to keep the report hidden suggests otherwise.”

Implications for Ongoing Clergy Abuse Lawsuits

The Latham report could play a pivotal role in the massive lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Newark, which consolidates hundreds of claims under New Jersey’s Child Sexual Abuse Act. If disclosed, it may confirm institutional knowledge of abuse and systemic cover-ups that have spanned decades.

This case is a stark reminder that religious and educational institutions cannot be allowed to shield internal misconduct behind legal technicalities. Survivors deserve the full truth—and the justice that comes with it.

A Victory for Survivors—But More Transparency Is Needed

While the court’s ruling is only a first step, it represents a victory for survivors and a challenge to the culture of silence that has allowed abuse to thrive in trusted institutions.

As attorneys continue to push for full disclosure and accountability, Survivors of Abuse NJ, under the leadership of Joseph L. Messa, Jr., Esq., remains committed to helping survivors navigate their legal options and pursue justice in civil court.

If You Were Abused by Clergy or in a Religious Institution in New Jersey

You are not alone. If you or someone you love suffered sexual abuse connected to the Catholic Church, Seton Hall University, or any religious institution, there are legal avenues available to pursue compensation and justice.

Contact Survivors of Abuse NJ today for a free and confidential consultation. Attorney Joseph L. Messa, Jr., Esq. and his experienced legal team are here to support you every step of the way. We believe that no institution is above accountability—and no survivor should be silenced.

Source:

New Jersey Monitor