Sweat Lodge Deaths Lawsuits Settle for More Than $3 Million

FLAGSTAFF, Arizona – A self-help author imprisoned for the deaths of three people in an Arizona sweat lodge ceremony settled civil lawsuits with the victims' families for more than $3 million.

James Arthur Ray began serving his sentence last month after being convicted on three counts of negligent homicide. The settlements were reached last year, but the terms weren't disclosed until after Ray's criminal trial wrapped up.

The families of Kirby Brown, James Shore and Liz Neuman sued Ray following the October 2009 ceremony, accusing him of negligence, fraud and wrongful death.

Brown's parents received nearly $860,000, $1.38 million went to Shore's family, and Neuman's family got more than $1 million to settle the claims.

The money didn't come from Ray himself but from his insurers.

Other lawsuits against Ray are pending.