Boy Scouts of America getting sued for sexual abuse

Avatar photoJason jsipe on May 24, 2010

BayNews9.com
Friday, May 21, 2010

PINELLAS COUNTY (Bay News 9) — Attorneys filed a lawsuit in the St. Petersburg Civil Courthouse Friday morning against the Boy Scouts of America on behalf of three sexual abuse victims.

The mother of one of the victims, whose last name will not be used for privacy, says Steven Greenleaf, a former New Port Richey boy scout troop master, sexually abused her son.

"When my son was 9 years old, his childhood and spirit were stolen from him," Jennifer said. "Something he will never get back."

In 2009, a jury found Greenleaf guilty of exposing himself to boys and molesting one of his three victims.

The case happened in 2007 and Greenleaf is now serving a 12-year prison sentence.

"Steven Greenleaf is a monster and so are the Boy Scouts and their chapters because they failed to protect our children," said Jennifer.

Jennifer wants the Boy Scouts of America and its local affiliate, the West Central Florida Council, to pay for the sexual abuse.

Her attorneys say they hope the civil lawsuit proves the abuse could have been prevented.

"The Boy Scouts had the responsibility to ensure that a child predator like Steven Greenleaf was not given authority to be a scout master and was not properly monitored," said Joseph Saunders, one of Jennifer’s attorneys.

The Boy Scouts executive director of the West Central Florida Council said the council hadn’t been served yet, so he couldn’t comment on the lawsuit.

The suit seeks more than $15,000 in damages.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

Empowering Change

“We give victims the support they need to stand up and speak the truth to some of the largest and most revered institutions in the world. These survivors are the ones putting a stop to patterns of abuse and cover-up. They are the ones protecting the next generations. They are the heroes. I am honored to work with them”
Peter Janci

Related Resources

Support, healing, and justice start with knowledge. These resources
are here to guide and empower you or someone you care about.
Crew Janci Press And Media Features

Three New OYA Staffers Named in Lawsuits As 17 More Victims Sue State for Child Sexual Abuse

Attorneys for victims of child sexual abuse within the Oregon Youth Authority filed a slate of new lawsuits on Thursday in Multnomah...

Crew Janci Attorneys Perpetrator Alert Youth Correctional Facility Abuse

Did You Know Scott J. Scrabeck from OYA’s Hillcrest Youth Correctional Facility?

New Lawsuit Filed Scott J. Scrabeck worked for the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) at Hillcrest Youth Correctional Facility as a correctional officer...

Crew Janci Attorneys Perpetrator Alert Youth Correctional Facility Abuse

Did You Know Robert Blacksmith from Hillcrest Youth Correctional Facility?

New Lawsuit Filed Robert Blacksmith worked for the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) at Hillcrest Youth Correctional Facility from the mid-1990s until 2006....

Share this Resource

Your voice can make a difference. Share this article to help
others feel supported, informed, and less alone.

Don’t face this alone.

Take a step toward reclaiming your life. Let our fearless and compassionate team stand with you as we pursue the justice and long-term change that help you find hope and healing.
avvo-white - peter-janci
crime-victim-crew-janci
SuperLawyers-crew-janci
AV-preeminent-crew-janci