83 Tucson Diocese Properties Auctioned off to Help Pay Sex Abuse Claims

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http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBGS3AH09E.html

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - More than 80 properties owned by the Catholic Diocese of Tucson were auctioned off Saturday in hopes of raising $3.2 million toward an eventual settlement to pay clergy sex abuse claims.

But the sale of the 83 properties in eight Arizona counties, conducted with Bankruptcy Court approval, won't become final until June 23 and officials won't know for about 40 days exactly how much revenue the auction produced.

Three parcels were sold under sealed bids that had to be submitted by Thursday; their preset minimums were expected to bring in more than half of the hoped-for total. All three were considered prime candidates for development.

Bidding opened furiously on the single most expensive parcel sold Saturday - 10 acres in northeast Tucson - reaching $890,000. The last two properties sold were quarter- and fifth-acre plots in Navajo County, for $1,500 apiece.