T.M., an anonymous childhood sexual abuse victim of Fr. Richard Lott, OSB, at Delbarton School, Morristown, NJ, was awarded $5 million today by a six-person jury after a nearly five-week trial in the Morris County Courthouse in Morristown, NJ. The Order of Saint Benedict, NJ, the corporate institution including St. Mary’s Abbey and the Delbarton School, was held 65% liable for damages while Fr. Richard Lott, now Mr. Edward Lott, was held 35% liable. T.M. bravely insisted that his claim against the parties proceed so he could confirm that what happened to him on January 1, 1976, in the maintenance “Barn” at Delbarton School, was sexual abuse of a minor. Kudos to T.M. and his legal team for conducting the very first civil trial in the State of New Jersey against Catholic entities. On Tuesday, October 14, 2025, the jury will reconvene to determine punitive damages.
Robert M. Hoatson, Ph.D.
Co-founder and President
Road to Recovery, Inc.
