Judge All But Squashes Suit Against Boy Scouts

A lawsuit against the Boy Scouts of America, brought by a teenager alleged to have been sexually abused by a Boy Scouts volunteer, was essentially shot down by Judge James Brown on 6/29. Brown threw out claims of fraud and intentional infliction of emotional distress and said that while the claim of negligence could proceed, the plaintiff, 13 at the time the abuse took place, would not be able to collect punitive damages. The plaintiff was arguing that the Boy Scouts should have known of a long history of abuse that has pervaded the Scouts over several decades, but the judge rejected the claim. Tim Hale, attorney for the plaintiff, said the ruling was “a dangerous decision for today’s children.”