Del. Man Sues Boy Scouts, Mormons Over Sex Abuse - WMDT 47 News - Delmarva's Choice

Del. Man Sues Boy Scouts, Mormons Over Sex Abuse

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PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A Delaware man is suing the Boy Scouts of America and the Mormon church over childhood sexual abuse committed by the scoutmaster at his church-sponsored troop.
    
Melvin Novak's lawsuit was filed Wednesday in Philadelphia. It charges that newly released Boy Scout "perversion files" show the organization hid abuse claims for years.
    
Former scoutmaster Vance Hein is in prison for violating parole after a 1999 misdemeanor conviction in Novak's case.
    
The 28-year-old Novak says the abuse plunged him into years of substance abuse. He no longer belongs to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
    
The church did not immediately respond to a call for comment, while the Scouts say they deeply regret past abuse within the organization.
    
The Associated Press generally does not identify sexual-abuse victims, but Novak wants his name publicized to heighten awareness.

 

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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