By Daoud Kuttab

June 10 – Motions in the $400 million lawsuit Benjamin Seryani vs. The Holy See et al will be heard this August, marking a critical phase in what may be the most extensive RICO case ever filed against Vatican-affiliated entities in the U.S. The court is expected to address multiple procedural motions in the coming months before moving to the discovery phase, according to a statement from a California lawyer.

The statement said that on June 9, attorney Robert J. Spitz, representing plaintiff Benjamin Seryani, filed a Request for Entry of Default against the Roman Catholic Bishop of San Bernardino. The bishop failed to file a timely response to Seryani’s April 2^nd RICO complaint, even after requesting and receiving a 30-day extension. “Seventy days have passed, and still no responsive pleading has been received,” Spitz noted, adding that he had notified opposing counsel in advance as a courtesy.

Meanwhile, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Los Angeles has submitted a Demurrer challenging the legal sufficiency of the complaint, to which Seryani’s legal team stated that they are preparing an Opposition. That motion will be heard in August.

Millard.org sent written requests for comment to Advocate David Colella, representing the San Bernardino Diocese, and Advocate Michele B. Friend, representing the Los Angeles Diocese; neither has responded by publication time.

The case is still in its pleading stage. Other defendants have been served and remain within their response deadlines.

The 1,384-page complaint outlines eleven causes of action, includes 45 exhibits, and targets a transnational network of religious nonprofits, offshore intermediaries, and high-ranking ecclesiastical figures. Defendants include Margaret Roman, Rosa Cumare, Archbishop Jose Gomez, and Cardinal Roger Mahony. The suit alleges that they have abused their religious authority and nonprofit status to conceal private enrichment and donor deception.

At the center of the lawsuit is American Seryani, a resident of California, whom the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Foad Twal, at the time, appointed to manage the Vatican-backed American University of Madaba (AUM). The suit alleges he was defrauded after contributing labor and services. When he refused to authorize what he describes as an international money laundering scheme involving the Vatican Bank, he claims he was cut off and defamed.

🔗 Full background: A Catholic Take interview on the case

The following is a PDF file that was submitted to the court on June 9th