Plaintiff in Boy Scouts Sex Abuse Lawsuit Speaks Out

One of the plaintiffs in what is being called the largest lawsuit ever filed against the Boy Scouts of America gave an interview detailing how he was allegedly sexually abused.

The man indentified as John Doe #1 in the class action lawsuit said he was abused by now-deceased former scoutmaster Donald Dennis of Ridgefield 25 to 30 times over a three year period, according to an article and video on the Fox 61 website.

John Doe #1, who lives in another part of the country, spoke with the television station via Skype, during which his face was obscured by pixelation.

He said the first time Dennis allegedly abused him was after a winter camping trip. He was soaking wet and Dennis told him to take off all his clothes so the homeowner could dry them overnight.

“Then he had me sleep in the sleeping bag with him that night and at which point he actually raped me,” John Doe #1 told Fox 61.

Brooke Goff of the Stamford-based Reinken Law Firm told Patch that she is representing all 19 plaintiffs, now ranging in age from 50 to 60, in the lawsuit against the Boy Scouts of America Corporation; Fairfield County Council of Boy Scouts of America, Inc., and Connecticut Yankee Council Inc.

The 857-page lawsuit contains over 170 counts, outlining abuse that occurred on camping trips and outings from 1963 to 1975.

Goff said her clients are not motivated by any possible monetary gain, but want closure.

The Boy Scouts of America released a statement to Patch at the time the lawsuit was announced, saying that safety of its young members is important, and the organization has worked to prevent child abuse through educational programs, background checks and mandatory reporting of allegations or suspicion of abuse.

For the complete Fox 61 article and news video, go here.

Photo credit: Screenshot from Boys Scouts of America website.