Boy Scouts sued over former Stamford scoutmaster who allegedly abused troop members

Boy Scout uniforms on a rack for sale at the Housatonic Council, Boy Scouts of America store. Boy Scout uniforms on a rack for sale at the Housatonic Council, Boy Scouts of America store. Photo: / Photo: / Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Boy Scouts sued over former Stamford scoutmaster who allegedly abused troop members 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

STAMFORD — Four men have filed a lawsuit accusing the Boy Scouts of America and local scout councils of failing to prevent pedophiles — including one former Stamford scoutmaster — from joining the organization.

Filed in Stamford Superior Court last week, the suit claims Boy Scouts of America (BSA), the Connecticut Yankee Council and the Fairfield County Council of Boy Scouts did not take proper measures to stop Waldron Ackerman, a Scoutmaster with Stamford Boy Scout Troop 38 and alleged serial pedophile, from leading the troop in the 1970s.

The suit also claims the organization knew sexual abuse at the hands of scoutmasters was occurring nationwide, yet failed to employ background checks to screen volunteers or take any measures to protect members. According to the lawsuit, BSA knew that scouting had become a “pedophile magnet,” attracting child abusers who used their positions in the troops to gain the trust of young boys before abusing them.

Ackerman allegedly physically, mentally and sexually abused the plaintiffs between 1974 and 1976 while they were Boy Scouts. During this time, Ackerman was allowed to be alone with the boys for hours, including at a campsite. Many of the victims repressed the memories of the abuse until adulthood, making it impossible for them to come forward until decades later, after the statute of limitations for criminal and civil suits against Ackerman had passed.

According to the lawsuit, BSA secretly removed scoutmasters for sexually abusive behavior starting in the 1940s, with one scoutmaster being removed every three days during the 1970s, when the abuse alleged in the suit occurred. Beginning in 1919, the group allegedly maintained secret “red files” of men who were ineligible to volunteer due to their pedophilic behavior, giving the BSA information on how abuse occurred and that previously banned leaders were trying to re-enter troops in other locations.

At least 1,200 red files were created between 1965 and 1985 and at least 50 to 60 leaders were removed per year between 1920 and 1935 for abusive behavior. In Connecticut, at least 26 scoutmasters were placed in BSA’s perversion files between 1960 and 1985, including leaders under the two councils named in the troop, the suit said.

The suit alleges BSA knew scouting attracted child molesters and despite knowing about abusive leaders, did nothing to alter the program and warn families and scouts involved. It also claims BSA destroyed many of the ineligible volunteer files.

“The behavior included in these allegations is abhorrent and runs counter to everything for which the Boy Scouts of America stands,” BSA said in a statement. “Nothing is more important than the safety of our youth members. We are outraged there have been times when Scouts were abused and we sincerely apologize to victims and their families. Even one instance of child abuse is unacceptable.”

The BSA said in the four decades since these alleged actions occurred, they have consulted law enforcement and other officials to create policies and procedures to prevent abuse, including a screening of adult leaders and staff, criminal background checks and requiring two or more adult leaders to be with children at a time during activities.

The Connecticut Yankee Council deferred to the national BSA when asked for comment. There was no listed number for the Fairfield County Council of Boy Scouts who is listed as the second defendant on the suit.

Attempts to contact Attorney Brooke Goff, who is representing the plaintiffs, for further clarification were unsuccessful.

Attorney Tadhg Dooley, who is representing the defendants, was not available for comment.

Attorney Brooke Goff, who is representing the victims, told the Connecticut Law Tribune that the men have filed a civil lawsuit against BSA because they allegedly concealed information to prevent lawsuits within the statute of limitations. Connecticut law allows victims to file 30 years after their 18th birthday or five years after they notify law enforcement or a prosecutor. All men are now in their 50s.

Connecticut currently has one of the shortest statutes of limitations for felony sex crimes in the country.

In 2015, Goff represented 17 former Boy Scouts from Ridgefield who sued the BSA for alleged abuse at the hand of a scoutmaster. According to the 2018 lawsuit, it was this previous case — the largest single lawsuit filed against the BSA — that inspired the men in the Stamford troop to come forward.

erin.kayata@stamfordadvocate.com