Missoula, Mont. » Attorneys representing people who contend they were sexually abused by Jesuit priests in the Northwest say more than 100 Montana residents have come forward to make claims.

The Oregon Province of Society of Jesus, which covers Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Idaho and Montana, filed for bankruptcy protection last year. The order said its finances were threatened by more than $25 million paid in previous legal cases to victims of sexual abuse by priests.

Seattle attorney Tim Kosnoff, who is representing victims, says that more than 100 of the roughly 500 claims filed before the Nov. 30 deadline came from Montana.

Kosnoff says his firm also found evidence that will lead to lawsuits against other dioceses and the U.S. government.