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A26 U.S. NEWS
Wednesday 20 May 2020
Boy Scout councils under pressure to share sex abuse costs

By DAVID CRARY of those three councils since the 1920s, according
AP National Writer declined to comment on to Boy Scout files revealed
NEW YORK (AP) — Nine the new lawsuits. Two of in court papers. Most of the
sex abuse lawsuits were them referred inquiries to more recent cases date
filed Tuesday in New York BSA headquarters, which to the 1960s, '70s and '80s,
against three Boy Scout issued a statement reiter- before the Boy Scouts ad-
local councils, signaling ating its goal of fairly com- opted mandatory criminal
an escalation of efforts to pensating abuse survivors background checks and
pressure councils nation- while preserving the Boy abuse prevention training
wide to pay a big share Scouts' mission. and protocols for all staff
of an eventual settlement "We are working with and and volunteers.
in the Scouts' bankruptcy actively encouraging the Christopher Hurley, man-
proceedings. ad hoc committee, coun- aging partner of Hurley
The lawsuits were filed In this Feb. 18, 2020, file photo, Boy Scouts of America uniforms cils, and attorneys repre- McKenna & Mertz, said
shortly after an easing of are displayed in the retail store at the headquarters for the senting survivors of abuse there were divisions within
coronavirus lockdown French Creek Council of the Boy Scouts of America in Summit to find a solution that will the ranks of the local coun-
rules enabled courts in Township, Pa. appropriately fund a trust, cils, with some amenable
some parts of New York Associated Press while also ensuring the to ensuring full disclosure
to resume the handling of agree to contribute signifi- extensive property hold- future of Scouting," the of assets and records, and
civil cases. cantly to a proposed vic- ings and other assets, are statement said. Lawyer Tim others balking at doing so.
One of the lawyers coordi- tim compensation fund. separate legal entities and Kosnoff, whose Abused in The BSA national organiza-
nating the filing, Mike Pfau, "The local councils are re- should not be included as Scouting legal team says tion had access to the key
said his Seattle-based firm quired to make a substan- debtors in the case. it's representing 3,200 cli- data and the authority to
expects to file scores more tial contribution," said Ste- The councils are repre- ents in the bankruptcy make it available to plain-
lawsuits in other parts of phen Crew, of Crew Janci. sented by an ad hoc com- case, estimated that the tiffs' attorneys, he said.
New York, as well as in New "If they don't, the plan mittee in the proceedings, local councils possess "The local councils can
Jersey and California, af- won't be approved." and negotiations are in roughly 80% of total Boy choose how they want to
ter full reopening of courts The Boy Scouts of America progress over disclosure of Scouts assets, compared participate," he said. "They
there. Two other firms, Or- filed for Chapter 11 bank- their assets and records as with about 20% for the Tex- can do it in state court,
egon-based Crew Janci ruptcy protection in Febru- a step toward determining as-based national office. or they can do it with the
LLP and Chicago-based ary in hopes of surviving a their contributions to the Kosnoff said he worries bankruptcy process. As far
Hurley McKenna & Mertz, barrage of lawsuits, many compensation fund. some local councils might as we're concerned, the
said they had similar plans, of them made possible by Pfau said he was skeptical try to transfer assets in a time for delay is over."
indicating there could be recent changes in state the councils would agree way that would put them New York, New Jersey and
hundreds of such lawsuits laws to allow people to to contributions large out of reach of bankruptcy California were the most
altogether. sue over long-ago sexual enough to forestall lawsuits proceedings; he wants Sil- populous states acting last
At least through June 8, abuse.Proceedings are against them. verstein to prohibit that. year to modify statute-of-
an injunction issued by the underway at federal bank- The lawsuits filed Tues- It's not yet known how limitations law so people,
bankruptcy judge, Laurie ruptcy court in Delaware day involve allegations many claimants there for a limited period of time,
Selber Silverstein, blocks aimed at creating a com- of abuse from men who will be in the bankruptcy could sue over long-ago
the lawyers from proceed- pensation fund for thou- were Scouts decades ago case. Some lawyers say sex abuse. Jason Amala, a
ing with lawsuits against sands of men molested as in local councils in upstate the number could ap- law partner of Mike Pfau's,
the local councils. But sev- youngsters decades ago New York that have subse- proach 10,000 by Nov. 16, said they felt an obliga-
eral lawyers said they will by scoutmasters or other quently merged into the the deadline that was set tion toward some of their
press for the injunction to leaders. Leatherstocking Council, Monday for abuse victims clients to sue in New York
be lifted unless the coun- In its bankruptcy filing, the Baden-Powell Coun- to file claims. More than before the state's window
cils' financial information the BSA said the 261 lo- cil and the Seneca Wa- 12,000 boys have been closed, possibly in mid-
is fully disclosed and they cal councils, which have terways Council. Leaders molested by 7,800 abusers August.q

Canada, U.S. extend border closure to non-essential travel

By ROB GILLIES wanted to continue the ers like healthcare profes-
Associated Press measures. sionals, airline crews and
TORONTO (AP) — Canada "This will keep people in truck drivers are still permit-
and the US have agreed both of our countries safe." ted to cross. Truck drivers
to extend their agreement Trudeau said. are critical as they move
to keep border closed to U.S. President Donald Trump food and medical goods
non-essential travel to June also confirmed the exten- in both directions. Much
21 during the coronavirus sion, but looked forward of Canada's food supply
pandemic. to its eventual end, saying, comes from or via the U.S.
Canadian Prime Minister "everything we want to get Americans who are return-
Justin Trudeau said Tuesday back to normal." ing to America and Cana-
the border is a source of But many Canadians fear dians who are returning to
vulnerability, so the agree- a reopening. The U.S. has Canada are also exempt-
ment will be extended by more confirmed cases and ed from the border closure.
another 30 days. The re- deaths from COVID-19 than Canada sends 75% of its ex-
In this photo taken Sunday, May 17, 2020, a bird flies from the strictions were announced any country in the world, ports to the U.S. and about
U.S. into Canada over the Peace Arch in Peace Arch Historical on March 18 and were ex- though its per capita num- 18% of American exports go
State Park on the border with Canada, where people can walk tended in April. bers are well below many to Canada. The U.S.-Cana-
freely between the two countries at an otherwise closed border, Trudeau said Canada's other nations. da border is world's longest
in Blaine, Wash.
Associated Press provincial leaders clearly Essential cross-border work- between two nations.q