From Deseret News archives:
Abuse lawsuit alleges widespread problems with Mormons, Boy Scouts
The new lawsuit also claims the church and the Scouts "knew that assignments were being used by pedophiles to victimize children...."
Kelly Clark, the attorney who filed the complaint on behalf of six men now in their 40s, called it an "infestation of child abuse, stretching across the country, involving hundreds of predators and thousands of children."
Clark also said the LDS Church and the Boy Scouts "failed miserably to take responsible steps to clean up their organizations."
Stephen English, a Portland attorney for the LDS Church, said only one individual was accused of abuse in the complaint the same man as a previous lawsuit.
"The LDS Church has always adamantly condemned child abuse and we will thoroughly investigate these allegations," English said.
A Scouts spokeswoman in Portland said officials had not seen the lawsuit and had no immediate comment.
Clark noted there is a strong relationship between Mormons and the Scouts, with the church sponsoring 28 percent of all Scout units nationally in 2006.
The new lawsuit adds four men to a previous complaint by two brothers who claim they were molested by a former LDS Church teacher and Scout leader. The men allege they were abused in the 1980s by Timur Dykes, a former Boy Scouts leader and a Mormon Sunday school teacher.
Dykes has several child sex abuse convictions and is listed by the state as a predatory sex offender.
Efforts to reach Dykes were not successful. County probation officials said they would leave him a message seeking comment.
The Web site for the Multnomah County Department of Community Justice Parole & Probation notes that "Dykes gains access to victims through positions of trust (Boy Scouts, church membership, befriending single mothers); targets vulnerable boys and families; has used intimidation and threats to maintain victim compliance."
The LDS Church has been ordered to turn over extensive financial records in another sex abuse lawsuit filed by Clark, and the Oregon Supreme Court rejected a church appeal.
Clark said settlement talks are continuing in that case.
Recent comments
Someone mentioned that the Mormon scouting program mainly helps...
Scout'n For Lawyers... | Nov. 6, 2007 at 7:38 p.m.
The really sad part about this, is that it is now "assumed" that if...
Town Heathan | Oct. 8, 2007 at 5:01 p.m.
junie,
My tithes go to pay for your list of stuff, and also for a...
It's mine too | Oct. 8, 2007 at 12:55 p.m.
- National news briefs 10:14 p.m.
- Motown caps 50th anniversary 10:13 p.m.
- Finding profit in mortgage mess 10:12 p.m.
- More travelers for Thanksgiving 10:11 p.m.
- For those who can't hang up 10:10 p.m.
- Jazz outlast Pistons in overtime 10:10 p.m.
- California bests Stanford in Big Game 10:00 p.m.
- Midfield will be key for RSL 9:56 p.m.
- NBA Sunday 9:54 p.m.
- Students protest animal testing 9:53 p.m.
- Glenn Beck to enter politics?
- Can BYU throw vs. Air Force?
- Cougars cruise to victory in Hawaii
- Huntsman blasts media over trip
- Christian leaders not backing down
- Murder-suicide in West Jordan
- TCU still has a chance
- Orem man acquitted in tot's death
- Religion cited in deportation fight
- Hall breaks BYU record with win
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
191 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
173 - Lies shatter Utah family
123 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
122 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
103 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
100 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
98 - Utes knock off rival Aggies
93 - Huntsman pleased with Obama
87
A little after midnight Wednesday morning, about 21 hours ago as I write...
There's a lot of reason to leave your plastic home as you shop:
As China moves towards a more free society they are rapidly becoming the...
We ought to have a civil war
Wrong. They might not be the most fascinating but they are sweet, genuine and...
dont worry there wont be room for you on the bandwagon the year we do take...
I'm an independent voter which means I'm above the political bickering of the...
Lets go suck on the cancer stick to celebrate.
We out to have another civil war
Maxie may have a record, but he's stil throwing INTs..next week should be...
I thought the game would be better than that. Hope the cougs can bring it...
has nowhere near the tax burden that is borne by our Canadian friends. Their...

