Former Athens Boy Scout leader sued for sex abuse
A longtime Athens Boy Scout leader, whose alleged predatory behavior was detailed in the organization's so-called "perversion files," is being sued by two men alleging years of sexual abuse.
The suit against Ernest Boland, who died in 2013, was filed with a little more than a month remaining on a special provision that extended the statute of limitations in Georgia for childhood victims of sexual abuse seeking damages.
IN-DEPTH: In scouts’ sex-abuse scandal, dark secrets for a model citizen
The plaintiffs, whose names are being withheld by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution because they were victims of sexual assault, allege the Boy Scouts of America and its Northeast Georgia Council knew of the accusations against Boland dating back to 1961 — several years before they were abused — but did nothing to stop him.
Two Athens churches named as co-defendants — Green Acres Baptist and Beech Haven Baptist — were also aware of the accusations, the suit alleges, but undertook no actions to protect minor Scouts from Boland’s abuse.
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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.
