Jurors deciding a church neglect suit asked the judge about the case's award money Thursday.

The jury sent a note during morning deliberations about the $150 million requested from St. Raphael's Church in East Meadow, Rev. Thomas Haggerty and the Diocese of Rockville Centre. The church, reverend and diocese are all being sued by two victims of sexual abuse.

Jurors asked if parts of the financial award could go to charitable organizations that benefit abused children. The judge said no.

Matthew Maiello, a former youth minister at St. Raphael's Church, served more than two years for raping and sodomizing four teens. The two victims who filed suit, now in their early 20s, claim the church knew Maiello could be a problem.

The church and Haggerty "had warnings from another youth minister and from their own business manager that hiring Matthew Maiello is dangerous to children," said Michael Dowd, the plaintiffs' lawyer. "They knew full well they were putting children at risk."

Church attorneys argue that Maiello hid his relationships from Haggerty and St. Raphael's.

Deliberations are scheduled to continue Friday.

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