From Deseret News archives:
Idaho man files sex abuse lawsuit against Scouts, LDS Church
The lawsuit was filed Thursday in Malheur County Circuit Court in Vale, Ore., by a 53-year-old man identified only as Tom Doe.
Doe alleges that Larren Arnold, a leader of his Nampa, Idaho, Boy Scout troop, sexually abused him for about three years, starting in 1967, and that the abuse left him with debilitating physical, emotional and mental injuries.
Arnold could not be immediately reached for comment. A recorded message for a Pocatello listing under Arnold's name said the number had been temporarily disconnected at the customer's request.
Arnold was listed as a registered sex offender in Bannock County several years ago for an unrelated offense but is no longer on any Idaho sex offender registry, according to public records. Bannock County probation officials would not release any details of the case or Arnold's current sex offender status.
Doe maintains that leaders of the Boy Scouts Ore-Ida Council, the national Boy Scouts of America organization and the church knew they had "institution-wide child abuse problems."
David Kemper, the scout executive for the Ore-Idaho Council, said he had not yet seen the lawsuit and so couldn't give specific comments. However, Kemper said, the Boy Scouts take any allegation of child abuse seriously.
"No matter when it is made, the issue of child abuse is serious and the organization is committed to making sure children involved in the program are able to do so in a safe environment," Kemper said. "The Boy Scout's child abuse program is extensive. We have training for our adults in youth protection, and we've taught our youth the three Rs recognize, resist and report."
At least one church official, who served as the troop's assistant scoutmaster, knew the abuse was occurring, said Doe's attorney, Kelly Clark.
"My client knows for sure that one of the assistant scoutmasters witnessed the abuse," Clark said. "He was in the same tent. So he should have reported it and it should have stopped right then. We know, unfortunately, that this guy was allowed to go on and abuse kids for several more years."
Recent comments
I was angered to see this Lawsuit filed. You may say what gives you...
Wade | Nov. 16, 2009 at 1:31 p.m.
Two legal issues to point out (before everybody without a law degree...
Legal Interpretation | Feb. 25, 2008 at 6:46 p.m.
I agree with all of the people who say that LDS Church should divorce...
BSA or LDS Church Relevant? | Feb. 25, 2008 at 6:34 p.m.
- Orlando forward Matt Barnes fined 2:26 p.m.
- Black Friday store spending up 2:13 p.m.
- Man dies in dirt bike crash 2:06 p.m.
- Gamecocks top No. 15 Clemson 1:51 p.m.
- A naturally 'green' Christmas 1:42 p.m.
- AP: Iverson retirement may be brief 1:26 p.m.
- Case made for strong Fed role 1:15 p.m.
- Vonn fails to qualify for 2nd run 1:00 p.m.
- 911 tapes of Woods' crash on Sun. 12:53 p.m.
- Zardari turns over nuclear authority 12:30 p.m.
- Cave to be sealed with body inside
- Predicting the unpredictable: BYU wins
- Vegas, Poinsettia bowls or bust
- Glover gives Utes last-second upset
- Cougars turn back Wildcats'
- BYU football: 5 keys to victory
- Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
- Rivalry Week is highly profane
- Efforts to save a life praised
- BYU's old uniforms?
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
271 - Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
214 - Thunder rolls by Jazz
136 - Letters: Rushing to judge Palin
134 - Boys basketball rankings
132 - Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin
113 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
111 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
109 - Letters: Trump card for believers
98 - Rivalry Week is highly profane
88
When I was a kid, I worshipped my grandpa. He was undoubtedly my hero....
for once in my life I actually agree with Roland Kayser. The dollar is not on...
How about we take away all the government "grant money" for a period of 3...
I think the "trade" or shopping of Boozer to other teams is dead. He's...
I don't know the family, but I will keep you in my prayers. God loves us all...
I am incredibly sorry for this family's loss, but destroying a cave to...
Utah 45 BYU 35
I like coach Whittingham. Whenever he speaks he is frotright and sensible....
If TCU slapping 55 on the "vaunted" Ute Defense makes their defense weak,...
Utah 28 BYU 22
I want to see him go to golden state or new orleans he could do some damage...


