The Boy Scouts of America reached an $850 million settlement Thursday with tens of thousands of people who say they were sexually abused when they were Scouts over decades and later sued in a case that rocked the historic institution.
The settlement, which came after the organization filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last year while facing mounting legal costs over the abuse claims, is one of the largest of its kind in a child sexual abuse case in U.S. history. The lawsuit involved more than 84,000 people who claimed sexual abuse dating as far back as the 1960s.
Jason Amala, a lawyer whose firm represents more than 1,000 men who say they were sexually abused by Boy Scouts leaders and volunteers, said he will object to the BSA’s proposal.
“We’re very concerned,” Amala told The Post. “It equals less than $10,000 per survivor. They’re not offering that much more than they were in the last proposal, and nobody’s explaining why every survivor should be happy about this.”
At issue, he said, is the lack of transparency around how much each of the Boy Scouts’ nearly 300 local councils are worth and contributing to the settlement. Without that information, he said, there’s no way of knowing whether survivors are getting a fair settlement.
Gaetano T Smith says
I am one of the survivors. I want this behind me. I’ve gone to counceling and confronted the person that did this to me. I call my higher power God, and I finally forgave him because if I did not I would continue to be a non productive member of society. Do I think this is fair Fuck no is my answer. Explain fair all the money in the world will never make this fair. I just want to be totally done with hearing the word boy scout. Nobody knows but only us and I say to them, if you can’t do anything for yourself like I was at one time please get help. The money will be there but getting help is the answer. I know I’ve been through it. Good luck to all the survivors and don’t let your abuser rent anymore space in your head. My name is Gaetano T. Smith my true family and friends call me Tom. Take care
James R. Marsh says
Thank you for your courage in posting and these really good observations. Please take care of yourself Tom.