Yet another Boy Scouts sexual abuse lawsuit has been filed over a former scout leader who allegedly molested a 13-year-old boy in his troop.

On an overnight camping trip with his scout troop in the early 1980s, former troop leader Harry Vonglis was sharing a tent with the 13-year-old boy, now the adult plaintiff in this lawsuit. According to the plaintiff, he awoke sometime in the night to find his troop leader naked next to him.

The specifics of the Boy Scouts sexual abuse lawsuit are disturbing.

“Troop Leader Harry Vonglis unzipped plaintiff’s sleeping bag, fondled, groped, touched, and/or otherwise molested plaintiff’s genitalia, masturbated, and ejaculated on or near plaintiff,” the complaint reads. “During the above-described incident of sexual abuse, plaintiff begged Troop Leader Harry Vonglis to stop, but Vonglis ignored plaintiff’s pleas and continued.”

According to the Boy Scouts sexual abuse lawsuit, the plaintiff has suffered “significant mental, emotional, and physical distress as a result of the sexual trauma that he experienced” at Vonglis’s hands.

Unfortunately, the lawsuit cannot hold Vonglis accountable—he died in 2010 at the age of 90. But Vonglis isn’t named in the Boy Scouts sexual abuse lawsuit. Indeed, the lawsuit names as defendants the Boy Scouts of America, as well as the Iroquois Trail Council, which included Vonglis’s old troop, Leicester Troop 85.

The lawsuit alleges that these organizations either knew or should have known of the threat Vonglis posed to the children in his care and done something to prevent this abuse. The Boy Scouts sexual abuse lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages.

Children Often Know and Trust Theirs Abusers

This particular case highlights one of the most disturbing facts about child sexual abuse: children are often abused by people they are supposed to be able to trust—and indeed, even by people that are highly respected in their communities.

Vonglis fought in the U.S. Army in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. For his service, he was awarded the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Silver Star, Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart. After his active military service, Vonglis served on various veterans’ councils.

This is not the first time Vonglis has been accused of a crime. In 1991, Vonglis pled guilty to embezzling more than $48,000 from village accounts as a village clerk in Leicester between 1986 and 1991.

Vonglis was almost able to take a plea deal that would allow him to avoid most jail time, but the county’s district attorney learned that this was not actually the first time he had embezzled money, though it was the first time he had been charged.

This Boy Scouts sexual abuse lawsuit comes as the national organization faces more than 10,000 other claims of abuse and is also in the middle of Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.

Filing a Boy Scouts Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

A growing number of former Boy Scouts are coming forward with allegations of sexual abuse perpetrated by employees and volunteers with the Boy Scouts of America

If you were a victim of sexual abuse or assault during your time in the Boy Scouts—whether that took place years or even decades ago—you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Of course, filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by this abuse, but it can at least help to provide some amount of financial compensation, as well as hold those responsible accountable for their actions and inactions.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.

This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.