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Photo: Aerial view of Newport Beach; via Wikipedia.
KTLA-TV in Los Angeles reported Wedensday per BishopAccountability.com that a 42-year-old Irvine man described by police as a “prominent staff member” at Redeemer Church of Orange County in Newport Beach has been arrested following accusations that he sexually abused a teenage girl over the course of ten years.
Michael Robert Maxwell was taken into custody after the Irvine Police Department, working in coordination with Child Protective Services, investigated claims that the abuse took place at a residence on Whitecloud, near South Lake.
Authorities confirmed that Maxwell has been booked into Orange County Jail on multiple charges.
Police released Maxwell’s photo to local media out of concern there could be additional victims. They are urging anyone with information to contact Irvine Police Department Detective Vincent Vasquez via email.
The Catholic Church continues to face both historic and current consequences for institutional child abuse. Over the past two decades, U.S. Catholic dioceses, eparchies, and religious communities have paid more than $5 billion in settlements to survivors of clergy sexual abuse, according to the National Catholic Reporter. Among the most significant recent developments is the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, which agreed in 2024 to pay $880 million to approximately 1,350 victims, the largest settlement involving the Catholic Church in U.S. history, bringing the Archdiocese’s cumulative payout to over $1.5 billion.
Other landmark figures include the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, which resolved its Chapter 11 bankruptcy with a $210 million settlement in 2018, covering approximately 450 survivors. In New Orleans, discussions continue around a proposed settlement trust beginning at $180 million and potentially rising to $235 million, although nearly half of the 633 claims could be dismissed by court order, potentially increasing individual payouts from about $370,000 to nearly $700,000 per claimant. Moreover, a landmark jury verdict this June awarded nearly $2.4 million to a survivor abused decades ago at a Catholic summer camp in New Orleans, bolstered by a 2024 law allowing molestation survivors to seek damages regardless of when the abuse occurred.
These staggering settlements and legal actions reflect deep institutional failures but also signal that survivors deserve justice, accountability, and transparency.
If you or someone you care about has experienced abuse within a church or other institution, you’re not alone and you have legal options.
Our Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Guide offers clear, survivor-centered information on how to understand your rights, navigate legal avenues, and seek accountability.
Many survivors say the greatest value in pursuing justice goes beyond financial recovery. It’s also about being heard, validated, and empowered to reclaim your life. Read the guide to become better informed and/or take the first step in the free case review process by filling out the form below..
