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.
No Kings plans protests on Trump’s 80th birthday
Explosion rocks Dallas apartment building as massive fire sends black smoke into sky, at least 4 injured
A-List Hollywood Actor Explains Why He’s Backing Spencer Pratt for LA Mayor: ‘Just Look Around’
Police Rush to Amy Coney Barrett’s House After Receiving Troubling 911 Call
Top Democrat shuts down 2028 White House speculation: ‘I will not be one of them’
Socialist Zohran Mamdani launches Elon Musk-style ‘COGE’ chaired by Soros-aligned Dem
FBI seizes record-setting $8 billion in cryptocurrency amid intercontinental ‘scam compound’ crackdown
Federal HR office pulls back curtain on sweeping NDA plan aimed at curbing government leaks
US and Iran reach ceasefire extension deal pending Trump’s final approval
Breaking: US and Iran Reportedly Reach Peace Agreement Pending Trump’s Approval
Husband’s phone GPS data prompts feds to search 25-foot-deep Bahamian waters for Lynette Hooker: sources
Judge hands Trump mail-ballot win for now as Democrats’ next move looms
Another One: Male LGBT Activist Arrested After Admitting Abusive Plan for 13-Year-Old Boy
1994 NBA Finals Clip Resurfaces Showing Trump at Knicks Game After Hochul Questioned His Fandom
US Military Prepared to Strike Cuba at Moment’s Notice: ‘When POTUS Says Go, We’re Ready’
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.
No Kings plans protests on Trump’s 80th birthday
Explosion rocks Dallas apartment building as massive fire sends black smoke into sky, at least 4 injured
A-List Hollywood Actor Explains Why He’s Backing Spencer Pratt for LA Mayor: ‘Just Look Around’
Police Rush to Amy Coney Barrett’s House After Receiving Troubling 911 Call
Top Democrat shuts down 2028 White House speculation: ‘I will not be one of them’
Socialist Zohran Mamdani launches Elon Musk-style ‘COGE’ chaired by Soros-aligned Dem
FBI seizes record-setting $8 billion in cryptocurrency amid intercontinental ‘scam compound’ crackdown
Federal HR office pulls back curtain on sweeping NDA plan aimed at curbing government leaks
US and Iran reach ceasefire extension deal pending Trump’s final approval
Breaking: US and Iran Reportedly Reach Peace Agreement Pending Trump’s Approval
Husband’s phone GPS data prompts feds to search 25-foot-deep Bahamian waters for Lynette Hooker: sources
Judge hands Trump mail-ballot win for now as Democrats’ next move looms
Another One: Male LGBT Activist Arrested After Admitting Abusive Plan for 13-Year-Old Boy
1994 NBA Finals Clip Resurfaces Showing Trump at Knicks Game After Hochul Questioned His Fandom
US Military Prepared to Strike Cuba at Moment’s Notice: ‘When POTUS Says Go, We’re Ready’
“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.
