AARP Foundation Celebrates Verdict in Hartshorne v. Catholic Diocese of Albany

Today, Louis Lopez, Vice President of Litigation at AARP Foundation, issued the following statement in reaction to the verdict to restore the pensions of more than 1,100 retirees:

Schenectady, N.Y . -

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 12, 2025

MEDIA CONTACT:
Emily Pickren, [email protected]

AARP Foundation Celebrates Verdict in Hartshorne v. Catholic Diocese of Albany

Today, Louis Lopez, Vice President of Litigation at AARP Foundation, issued the following statement in reaction to the verdict to restore the pensions of more than 1,100 retirees:

Schenectady, N.Y . - "Today, justice caught up with the facts. The jury confirmed what the evidence showed: the Diocese and the individual defendants, including the bishops who controlled the boards of directors, betrayed the trust of more than 1,100 St. Clare's Hospital employees. They breached their legal and fiduciary obligations to these dedicated workers, and those breaches caused profound harm. We are pleased with the jury's decision to hold all of the defendants liable and to provide restitution to the pensioners in the amount of $54.2 million plus punitive damages to be determined.

We are grateful for the unyielding courage and enduring faith of the St. Clare's Hospital employees. It has been an honor to represent them and let them tell their stories. Our priority now is to ensure that relief reaches the pensioners as quickly and equitably as possible.

Faith-based organizations hold a unique position of trust with their workers. That trust carries legal and moral obligations. When the Diocese promised retirement benefits, they were not offering charity - they were creating a binding commitment to provide their hard-working employees a measure of financial security in their retirement. And today they are finally being held accountable to honor that commitment."

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About AARP Foundation
AARP Foundation is the nation's leading organization serving the 39 million older adults living in poverty or one life event away from slipping into it. Our mission is to strengthen financial resilience for and with older adults by empowering individuals and improving systems. We do this by creating pathways to quality employment, removing barriers to benefits, and promoting equitable access to essential goods and services. To learn more, visit aarpfoundation.org or follow @AARPFoundation on social media.