Archdiocese settles with local woman after molestation allegation

A Sedro-Woolley woman who says she was molested by a priest settled for $1.2 million Monday after she sued the Seattle Archdiocese.

Jeri Hubbard, 63, said she was sexually abused as a teenager by Father Michael Cody at St. Charles Parish in Burlington

"He told me it was okay," said Hubbard, "God made me a man first, a priest second."

Hubbard never told anybody.

"The fear of God, the fear of people not believing me. He would tell me people would never believe me because he was a priest and I was an incorrigible kid." Hubbard said.

She took the stand in the trial and told her story. When it was time for cross examination, attorneys for the Seattle Archdiocese didn't not have any questions.

Hubbard's attorneys said the Seattle Archdiocese knew Father Cody was a pedophile and instead of taking action, just moved him from parish to parish allowing him to victimize more children.

The Archdiocese settled during Hubbard's trial Monday in Whatcom County Superior Court.

"The Archdiocese of Seattle acknowledged responsibility for the emotional distress of Michael Cody's victim in keeping with our commitment to healing we worked to reach a fair and just resolution," Seattle Archdiocese spokesman Greg Magnoni said.

Cody, 84, was defrocked in 2005. He left Washington in 1979. He lives in Nevada.

Before being transferred to St. Charles in Burlington Cody served at St. Luke Parish in Seattle; St. James Cathedral in Seattle; Holy Family Parish in Auburn; and Sacred Heart Parish in La Conner.

After Hubbard was abused, Cody was transferred to Assumption Parish in Bellingham, then to St. Margaret Parish in Seattle.

Hubbard didn't tell anyone about the abuse for decades. Her husband didn't even know until she told him in 2012. Today, Hubbard  told KIRO-7 she is "free."

Hubbard came forward to empower other victims of abuse.

"It is a terrible secret to keep," she said. "Please tell somebody -- it isn't your fault."

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