A New York City law firm has released the names of 130 Boy Scout leaders who have been accused of sexually abusing minors in New York. Attorney Jeff Anderson says their list comes from the Boy Scouts’ so-called “perversion files”, which were kept secret, but have now been revealed through a lawsuit.
14 of those 130 Boy Scout leaders are from the Rochester area, including seven whose names are known because they were charged with crimes. Those seven were convicted back in the 1960s, 70s and 80s. The “perversion file” records end in 1986.
Anderson is calling on the Boy Scouts of America to fully release the identities, and background information, of all the leaders who have been accused of such misconduct within the state of New York. He says the recently passed Child Victims’ Act, which removed the statute of limitations, gives victims a chance at justice.
The Boy Scouts released a statement Monday that said “we believe victims, and support them”, adding such abuse is an outrage.