11.   He said the federal civil racketeering statute places no limit on how far back in time the government could go in forcing the companies to disgorge any ill-gotten gains.

12.   Several lawsuits have been filed over the allegations, including a suit citing federal racketeering statutes that is seeking class-action status.

13.   The federal racketeering statute has been argued in at least two other church abuse cases, none successfully.

14.   The maximum penalty under the federal racketeering statute is life in prison without parole.