Boy Scout files reveal repeat child abuse by sexual predators
Clockwise from top left are Alan Dunlap, Floyd Slusher, Mark Bumgarner and Stephen Field. They are among the men about whom the Boy Scouts of America had received molestation allegations who nevertheless continued or regained involvement with the organization and were later convicted on abuse charges.
(Police photos)
Aug. 4, 2012 6:12 PM PT
For nearly a century, the Boy Scouts of America has relied on a confidential blacklist known as the “perversion files” as a crucial line of defense against sexual predators.
Scouting officials say they’ve used the files to prevent hundreds of men who had been expelled for alleged sexual abuse from returning to the ranks. They’ve fought hard in court to keep the records from public view, saying confidentiality was needed to protect victims, witnesses and anyone falsely accused.