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After the filings of tens of thousands of sexual abuse claims, the Boy Scouts of America has reached an $850 million settlement as part of the organization’s bankruptcy case, multiple outlets report.
Back in November, the total number of sexual abuse accusations against the BSArose past 92,000 just ahead of the deadlinefor submitting claims, as the BSA filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February 2020 after facing a wave of decades-old sexual abuse claims.
TheWashington PostandNBC Newsreported Thursday that the massive settlement is among the largest ever seen in a child sexual abuse case in U.S. history — and is a total dollar amount that is expected to rise, lawyers say.
“It is important that people see this dollar amount and know this is not the end; this is just the beginning. There are billions of dollars in insurance money, and the fight to get that money is continuing,” Jordan Merson, an attorney representing a group of survivors, toldUSA Today.
The organization also called the agreement a “significant milestone and is the biggest step forward to date.”
Paul Mones, another attorney representing plaintiffs, toldUSA Today, “There was never going to be an agreement that any survivor would be happy about. What we attempted to do in this negotiation was, under the circumstances, and with all of the various competing interests, the best deal possible.”
Added attorney Ken Rothweiler: “This initial settlement of $850 million is the largest settlement of sexual abuse claims in United States history. I am pleased that both the BSA and their local councils have stepped up to be the first to compensate the survivors.”
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The BSA said in its statement that there was still “much to be done” in order to obtain approval from the Court to “solicit survivors to vote for the BSA’s amended Plan of Reorganization.”
“However, with this encouraging and significant step forward, the BSA is wholeheartedly committed to working toward a global resolution,” the statement said. “Our intention is to seek confirmation of the Plan this summer and emerge from bankruptcy late this year.”
The initial bankruptcy filing last year said that the organization has more than $1 billion in assets, thePostreported.
The BSA was founded in 1910 and had over 4 million members at its peak in the 1970s. Now, the organization has less than 1 million members, according to theAssociated Press.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
source: people.com
