UPDATED Thursday, February 9, 2012 --- 4:23 p.m.

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- A federal judge is allowing two claims to go forward against the Archdiocese of Milwaukee for alleged sexual abuse by clergy.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Susan Kelley on Thursday dismissed a third claim because that person already had entered into a settlement.

The archdiocese argued the two claims were filed beyond the statute of limitations. The archdiocese filed for bankruptcy protection last year, saying pending sex-abuse lawsuits could leave it in debt. About 570 people filed restitution claims by the Feb. 1 deadline.

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests estimates if the archdiocese had been successful on the statute of limitations argument, 95 percent of the cases could have been ultimately dismissed.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.

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UPDATED Thursday, February 2, 2012 --- 8:15 a.m.

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- A bankruptcy lawyer says about 550 people are asking for restitution for alleged sexual abuse by clergy in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

Attorney James Stang said Wednesday that's more than in any of the other U.S. dioceses that have filed for bankruptcy protection. Stang represents creditors in the case.

The Milwaukee Archdiocese filed for bankruptcy protection last year, saying pending sex-abuse lawsuits could leave it with debts it couldn't afford.

The archdiocese has paid more than $30 million in settlements and other court costs related to alleged clergy abuse. More than a dozen sex abuse suits against it have been halted because of the bankruptcy proceedings. They include allegations against a priest accused of abusing some 200 boys at a school for deaf students from 1950 to 1974.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.

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Posted Wednesday, February 1, 2012 --- 3:03 p.m.

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Around 500 people are expected to file sex abuse claims in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee bankruptcy.

The archdiocese filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January 2011 and officials have previously said they have less than $10 million available to pay claims.

Archdiocese spokeswoman Julie Wolf said Wednesday about 470 claims had been filed earlier this week and they expected the total near or topping 500 by the deadline at 4 p.m. Wednesday.

She said they cast a wide net for victims per the court's instructions.

A Feb. 9 court hearing is set for a judge to consider an archdiocese request to throw out claims by people allegedly abused by someone who was not an archdiocese employee.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.