New York Attorney General Letita James has secured what she calls a big win for St. Clare’s pensioners.

James announced Wednesday afternoon that a judge’s ruling will allow her office’s case against St. Clare’s and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany to proceed.

Former St. Clare’s employees have been fighting for years to get the pensions they were promised.
James is suing the diocese, its leadership, and the St. Clare’s corporation for mishandling those pensions.

“Hundreds of former St. Clare’s employees – nurses, social workers, lab technicians, and support staff – devoted their lives to caring for others. But when the Diocese-controlled board of St. Clare’s unjustly terminated their pension plan, many of them lost their life savings and were left unable to retire,” James said. “Today’s victory allows our case against St. Clare’s and the Diocese to proceed, bringing these hardworking pensioners one step closer to justice.”

A judge granted a motion for summary judgment on Wednesday, ruling that St. Clare’s breached its contract with its workers.

The case will now proceed to a jury trial.