EXCLUSIVE: New documents reveal aftermath in Boy Scouts sex abuse case
Newly released internal Boy Scouts documents provide a window into the handling of a shocking sex abuse scandal still reverberating decades later.
Last year, an investigation by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution uncovered the secret life of Fleming Weaver, a Gainesville human resources executive and decorated scoutmaster. In 1995, he confessed to Hall County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Judy Mecum that he had sexually abused several Boy Scouts — “five or six at least” — though he insisted he stopped in 1981.
It was the second time he had made such a confession. Weaver had been removed as scoutmaster of Troop 26, sponsored by Gainesville’s First Baptist Church, in 1982 after the father of one of his victims reported the abuse to the church’s pastor. After consulting with a church member active in the Boy Scouts, they agreed not to go to police.
But Weaver remained active in the church and, new documents obtained by The AJC reveal, active with the scouts. The abuse of boys continued as well, according to one former scout who alleges Weaver raped him in 1985. He has sued Weaver, the Boy Scouts and First Baptist.
Visit myajc.com for the full story about what those documents reveal and how they are impacting a small town and some of its most venerable institutions.
About the Author
A native Atlantan, Boone joined the AJC staff in 2007. He quickly carved out a niche covering crime stories, assuming the public safety beat in 2014. He's covered some of the biggest trials this decade, from Hemy Neuman to Ross Harris to Chip Olsen, the latter of which was featured on Season 7 of the AJC's award-winning "Breakdown" podcast.
