Legal costs mount in Diocese bankruptcy

By JIM BUTLER

Legal costs in the Diocese of Alexandria bankruptcy case have passed $400,000 since the October 31 filing.

The Diocese on filing for Chapter 11 protection estimated its legal cost could run as high as $2 million.

Latest request for payment is by Werner, Weiss & Madison, counsel for the Committee of Unsecured Creditors.

The requested payment would bring to about $149,000 the sum paid the firm for compensation and expenses since its appointment December 1.

Should there be objection to the payment request a hearing will be held July 14 in Shreveport.

According to the March 31 operations statement filed by the Diocese, its counsel, the Gold Law Firm of Alexandria, had been paid about $$264,000 through that date.

Parties in the case held an initial mediation session earlier this month.

---