UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
Boston, Massachusetts 02109


A. David Mazzone
District Judge

        
                November 18, 1997

Senator Bruce E. Tarr
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Massachusetts Senate
State House, Boston 02133-1053

Dear Senator Tarr:

        Thank you for your letter on November 3, 1997, and also for your willingness to continue to work to resolve this matter. I am always available to examine any avenue to a resolution but I fear we have reached an impasse. To explain and to complete your records, I am attaching a copy of my communication to Faith Sweeney of October 23, 1997, after our meeting, and a copy of my communication to Mr. and Mrs. Sweeney of October 29, 1997. Now, to comment on your three suggested steps:

      1. The FDIC has provided an offer to the Sweeneys, and, attached to a letter from the Chairman of the FDIC, they have provided a detailed response to the Sweeney's mediation statement. As far as the offer is concerned, I said at our meeting that I believed there was some flexibility if the Sweeneys were interested in discussing a monetary settlement. I have not received any response to my October 23rd letter.

      2. I will arrange a meeting with principals, as I said in my October 29thy letter, if it would be useful in reaching a final figure to be paid by the Sweeneys. Your presence, and that of Bishop Dyer, would be welcome, of course, but it appears the parties have reached a firm position and I have no indication that either side will change their positions. I believe the Sweeneys have confirmed the FDIC position through their communication with Chairman Hove.

      3. Following our meeting, I did expect a statement from Bishop Dyer and yourself which I would pass along to the FDIC. I did not follow this up after I received a note from Bishop Dyer essentially withdrawing from the case. I forwarded that note to the FDIC asking them to consider it as a gauge of the intensity of the situation. If a statement were forthcoming, I would forward it to the FDIC.

        Again, I am available at any time. I told the Sweeneys that I must report to the Court of Appeals soon. Please call me with your comments or further suggestions and I will work with you.

              Regards,
              A. David Mazzone


cc: Mr. & Mrs. John Sweeney
(without enclosures)