Law firm's advice kept abuser silent to protect church leaders from exposure
A law firm told the Marist Brothers to keep a serial abuser away from the courts.
A law firm worked for the Marist Brothers, a Catholic order. It told the church to keep a serial child offender out of court because he might reveal his dealings with church leaders.
In a 2009 letter, Carroll & O'Dea lawyers told the head of the Marist Brothers the abuser had 'high honesty and integrity levels.' They said efforts to stop him 'dumping on others' had failed.
The letter said 'we will need to keep him well away from the legal arena upon release.' John William Chute was the offender.
Abuse complaints came from Marist schools in Randwick, Bondi, Hunters Hill, Lismore, Coogee and Canberra. Carroll & O'Dea represented the Marist and Christian Brothers for decades.
Now it faces subpoenas from lawyers for abuse survivors. The firm's actions forced it to stop representing the Marist Brothers.
This halted a trial. Delays may stretch into 2027.
- 2009
- Letter date
- John William Chute (Brother Kostka Chute)
- Abuser's name
- 15 against Marist Brothers involving Chute
- Active cases
Why it mattersThe case raises serious questions about whether lawyers for institutions care more about covering up abuse than about getting justice for survivors.
AustraliaAt least 15 Australian civil cases against the Marist Brothers involving this offender are now stalled, potentially delaying justice for survivors while also exposing a law firm's role in concealment.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
