Montana Boy Scout officials say local scouting programs will continue uninterrupted despite the Boy Scouts of America, or BSA, filing for bankruptcy protection.
BSA urges victims to come forward after the organization filed for bankruptcy protection this week; the first step toward dealing with a barrage of sexual abuse lawsuits.
BSA’s Montana Council issued a press release this week pointing out that local councils are not filing for bankruptcy as they are legally separate, distinct and financially independent organizations.
The release says Montana scouting programs, including unit meetings and activities, district and council events, scouting adventures and service projects will continue uninterrupted.
Boy Scouts of America plans to create a huge compensation fund for potentially thousands of men who were molested as kids decades ago by scoutmasters or other leaders.
The bankruptcy filing puts lawsuits on hold for now.
But ultimately the Boy Scouts could be forced to sell off some of their vast property holdings including campgrounds and hiking trails, to raise money for a victims’ fund that could top $1 billion.
Two Montana men last fall filed lawsuits against the Boy Scouts of America and its Montana affiliate over alleged sexual abuse by Scout leaders.