The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has sought bankruptcy protection in a move the group says will allow it to build a compensation fund for sex abuse victims and address hundreds of outstanding claims for redress.
The move follows a number of lawsuits filed against the organisation over claims of sexual abuse, alleging it failed to prevent hundreds of cases dating back over decades.
Most of the newly surfacing cases date to the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s; the organisation says there were only five known abuse victims in 2018.
All civil lawsuits against it are now on hold as a result of the bankruptcy application as the group is struggling with declining membership as well as the abuse claims.
“The BSA cares deeply about all victims of abuse and sincerely apologises to anyone who was harmed during their time in scouting. We are outraged that there have been times when individuals took advantage of our programs to harm innocent children,” chief executive Roger Mosby said in a statement.
Court papers filed in Delaware listed liabilities of up to $1bn and assets of as much as $10bn, reports say.
Mullin vows ‘zero change’ on immigration after Republicans suffer crushing midterm losses
Twice-deported illegal immigrant accused of trying to storm United cockpit, threatening bomb: DHS
Democratic Congresswoman Threatens Military Members ‘Down the Chain’ from Pete Hegseth with Investigations
Anti-Israel agitators swarm Biden in Ireland and hurl object at motorcade
This Midterm Result Should Give You Hope: Voters Passed Wave of Conservative Policies Nov. 3, Even as They Crushed GOP
IRGC operative lands on FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorists list over alleged plot to kill former Trump advisor
Migrants Marching Toward US Southern Border Are More ‘Hopeful’ Following Blue Wave: CNN
A New Name Has Risen to the Top of Trump’s White House Press Secretary Shortlist: Report
Incoming Congressman Says Senior Democrats Are Trying to Threaten Him Into Backing Hakeem Jeffries as Speaker
Dem Robert Garcia Explains Rationale Behind Weaponizing Government: ‘Maybe It’s Because I’m Gay’
‘Forget 2028’: Senate GOP braces for a long stretch in the minority
New Michigan Mayor’s Swearing-In Shows How Far State Has Fallen
Will TX Republicans Use Their Majority to Strip Incoming Dems of Power? Here’s Why They Should
House GOP leaders block Massie’s Hegseth impeachment push
Ilhan Omar huddles with her DC-based lawyers during her first day back on Capitol Hill amid federal probes
Among the matters to be addressed in the bankruptcy court are the fate of the Boy Scouts’ assets; the extent to which the organisation’s insurance will help cover compensation; and whether assets of the Scouts’ 261 local councils will be added to the fund.
As Breitbart News reported, the Boy Scouts of America first mooted filing for bankruptcy back in 2018.
On that occasion leadership of the youth organization hired the law firm Sidley Austin LLP to explore a wide range of options, including petitioning for relief under Chapter 11.
Legal experts noted then that filing for bankruptcy would “stave off” at least 140 lawsuits filed against the organization alleging misconduct by scoutmasters.
The Boys Scouts of America has undertaken rebranding efforts since, with the nonprofit renaming itself “Scouts BSA” in 2019.
In May last year, BSA announced girls will be allowed to join the group in the future. “We wanted to land on something that evokes the past but also conveys the inclusive nature of the program going forward,” Surbaugh said at the time of the announcement.
Mullin vows ‘zero change’ on immigration after Republicans suffer crushing midterm losses
Twice-deported illegal immigrant accused of trying to storm United cockpit, threatening bomb: DHS
Democratic Congresswoman Threatens Military Members ‘Down the Chain’ from Pete Hegseth with Investigations
Anti-Israel agitators swarm Biden in Ireland and hurl object at motorcade
This Midterm Result Should Give You Hope: Voters Passed Wave of Conservative Policies Nov. 3, Even as They Crushed GOP
IRGC operative lands on FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorists list over alleged plot to kill former Trump advisor
Migrants Marching Toward US Southern Border Are More ‘Hopeful’ Following Blue Wave: CNN
A New Name Has Risen to the Top of Trump’s White House Press Secretary Shortlist: Report
Incoming Congressman Says Senior Democrats Are Trying to Threaten Him Into Backing Hakeem Jeffries as Speaker
Dem Robert Garcia Explains Rationale Behind Weaponizing Government: ‘Maybe It’s Because I’m Gay’
‘Forget 2028’: Senate GOP braces for a long stretch in the minority
New Michigan Mayor’s Swearing-In Shows How Far State Has Fallen
Will TX Republicans Use Their Majority to Strip Incoming Dems of Power? Here’s Why They Should
House GOP leaders block Massie’s Hegseth impeachment push
Ilhan Omar huddles with her DC-based lawyers during her first day back on Capitol Hill amid federal probes
“We’re trying to find the right way to say we’re here for both young men and young women.”
In the 14 months since then, the youth organization has allowed children who identify as girls to join the Scouts, a controversial move that was seen by some, including Girl Scouts of the USA President Kathy Hopinkah Hannan, as an attempt to raise their diminished enrollment numbers.
The 100-year-old organization could now be forced to sell off some of its vast property holdings to raise money for a compensation fund that could surpass $1 billion.
Story cited here.
