The Boy Scouts of America may be filing for bankruptcy as the number of sex-abuse-related-litigations and settlements increase.

According to a recent report in the Wall Street Journal, the Boy Scouts of America has formally retained legal counsel to advise on the Chapter 11 bankruptcy option.

Since it was incorporated in 1910, over 110 million people have participated in the Scouting program. But, in 2019, the Boy Scouts continue to face a large number of lawsuits that allege inappropriate sexual conduct by employees and volunteers dating back to the 1960s.

According to the Wall Street Journal report, the Boy Scouts’ legal bills have almost quadrupled from 2015-2017 as a result of sex-abuse-related-litigation and settlements. In addition, the Boy Scouts’ membership rate has been rapidly declining in recent years, particularly after the LDS Church and other large sponsorship organizations announced they were pulling out of the Scouting program.

What does this mean for New York victims of Boy Scouts Abuse?

If the Boy Scouts do file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, it would help stay all pending litigation and allow the youth organization to continue operating while negotiating settlements with victims of abuse through the bankruptcy process.

More importantly, if a bankruptcy is filed, abuse survivors may have a very short time period to file a claim with the bankruptcy court. The deadline could be as short as 4-6 months, and any claim filed after the deadline would likely be rejected.

We’ve researched the Ineligible Volunteer files that the Boy Scouts have had on file for decades and found that many names on this “Perversion File” were allowed back to the volunteer program. If you’ve been a victim of the individuals listed below or any Scout or Volunteer, it’s crucial that you come forth before the Boy Scouts file for bankruptcy.

Here’s a list of New York’s most notable individuals in their alleged abuse of children.

(Click on their names to get more details.) (Click here to View a full list of the Ineligible Volunteers list)

John Diva

In 1960, Diva was placed in BSA’s Ineligible Volunteer File after it was reported that he was arrested in Queens allegedly on “moral charges with minor boys brought about by parents in Troop 135. It was reported he was also being investigated for “moral complaints” brought by the Catholic Brigade.

Eugene D. Miller

In 1960, Miller was placed in BSA’s Ineligible Volunteer File after it was reported that he allegedly “running around” with high school boys and had “homosexual” tendencies.

Errol L. Coppedge

In 1961, Coppedge was placed in BSA’s Ineligible Volunteer File after it was reported that he was discharged from the Navy as a result of an alleged incident involving a boy in his Explorer Post and the Advisor.

Raymond W. Culbertson, Jr.

In 1961, Culbertson was placed in BSA’s Ineligible Volunteer File after it was reported that three boys alleged misconduct on his part “concerning moral character.”

Peter D. Graf

In 1961, Graf was placed in BSA’s Ineligible Volunteer File after it was reported that he allegedly molested a Scout during an overnight trip. Graf allegedly admitted to the abuse.

Samuel Barry Halpern

In 1961, Halpern was placed in BSA’s Ineligible Volunteer File after it was reported that he molested a Scout’s genitals during an overnight trip.

R. Patterson Strine

In 1961, Strine was placed in BSA’s Ineligibly Volunteer File after it was reported that he allegedly sexually abused children. He was the District Executive of the Hudson-Delaware Council in Middletown, NY. He allegedly made a “frank admission” about “his whole problem,” and was immediately fired. In 1981, Strine was allowed to reenter Scouting in Framingham, MA, despite his past problems with children.

James L. Blakeslee

In 1962, Blakeslee was removed as Scoutmaster of Troop 271 in Rochester, NY due to alleged criminal charges involving sodomy of a 14 year old and 16 year old boy. In 1979, Blakeslee was found serving as Committee Chairman of Troop 653 in Hinsdale, NY, and again was removed from service.

Jack J. Talamo

In 1962, Talamo was placed in BSA’s Ineligibly Volunteer File after it was reported that he allegedly sexually molested a boy at Camp 12 Pines.

Richard J. Aycoth

In 1963, Aycoth was placed in BSA’s Ineligible Volunteer File after it was reported that he was allegedly convicted of “impairing the morals of a minor” in 1960. Yet, in 1973, Aycoth was permitted to rejoin Scouting on a “probationary basis.”

Joel Aziz

In 1963, Aziz was placed in BSA’s Ineligible Volunteer File after it was reported that he was allegedly engaging in sexual conduct with boys in troops in Hawaii.

Robert J. Carson

In 1963, Carson was placed in BSA’s Ineligible Volunteer File after it was reported that he was allegedly “misbehaving with boys!”

John E. Montgomery

In 1963, Montgomery was placed in BSA’s Ineligible Volunteer File after it was reported that he allegedly was arrested on “morals charges” involving members of Troop 53 of Astoria.

John Van Orden

In 1963, Van Orden was placed in BSA’s Ineligibly Volunteer File after it was reported that he allegedly was committed to Kings County Hospital, Psychiatric Division on a morals charge in an assault on a 6-year-old boy. At that time, he was registered as Assistant Cubmaster of Pack 531 in Brooklyn.

Edward Bains

In 1964, Bains was removed from Scouting after it was reported he was allegedly contributing to the delinquency of minors, among other issues. In 1991, Bains was found to have been registered in a Scout Troop in the Greater New York Area Council and was, again, removed.

Ernest Morris

In 1964, Morris was placed in the BSA’s Ineligible Volunteer File after it was reported that he was allegedly arrested and charged with sodomy of a 12-year-old boy. However, in 1975, it was discovered that Morris was registered as Scoutmaster of Troop 288 in Bronx, NY.
Donald A. Hodge In 1965, Hodge was placed in BSA’s Ineligible Volunteer File after it was reported that he allegedly had been exposing a number of boys to “homosexuality.” The Otetiana Council alerted the Buffalo Area Council of prior concerns, Hodge was under surveillance for many months.

Tyrone Charles Hughes

In 1965, Hughes was placed in BSA’s Ineligible Volunteer File after it was reported that he allegedly had been charged with second degree sodomy involving two young boys. Hughes was also working as a bus driver at that time.

William O’Rourke

In 1965, O’Rourke was placed in BSA’s Ineligibly Volunteer File after it was reported that he allegedly sexually abused several Scouts, leading to his arrest.

Hans Peterson

In 1965, Peterson was placed in BSA’s Ineligibly Volunteer File after it was reported that he allegedly was arrested for stealing money and having “unnatural relations with several boys (sodolomy (sp.)).” It was also reported that allegedly had broken into a bungalow and committed “unnatural acts.” And, he allegedly was barre rom Troop 143 in Brooklyn because of grand larceny charges by the Salvation Army where he worked. Peterson AKA Pederson.

Click here to View a full list of the Ineligible Volunteers list

If you or someone you love have experienced abuse by a Scout or volunteer, you may be eligible to be compensated. Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation to learn about your legal options.