BURLINGTON, Vt. -
The Boy Scouts of America has come clean on the organization's handling of sexual abuse cases over the decades.
The scouts have released thousands of files filled with documents, letters and press clippings detailing accusations against scoutmasters. The BSA admits, in some cases, to working to shield scoutmasters from public scrutiny and prosecution. Officials admit they were more concerned about the image of the organization than victims.
At least six Vermont cases are detailed in the files. One of those men is Carl Dow, a long-time employee of WCAX-TV. He was convicted in 1982 of lewd and lascivious conduct with a 12-year-old scout. Boy Scout records indicate prior "allegations of misbehavior" by Dow. But Scout officials believed they were not enough to warrant action against him. After his conviction, he was kicked out of the organization.
Click here to view the files.
