Report: Molesters slip past Boy Scout list

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LOS ANGELES, Aug. 5 (UPI) -- The Boy Scouts' system for blocking sexual predators from its ranks of adult leaders has apparently been far from foolproof, organization records showed.

The Los Angeles Times said Sunday its review of more than 1,200 files from 1970-1991 turned up 125 instances in which leaders kicked out of scouting for sexual abuse issues had found their way back in.

The newspaper said banned individuals sometimes used assumed names or never filled out the Boy Scouts' paperwork. But in other instances, blackball lists were not checked or had errors in them that allowed molesters to get back in.

"Basically, there were no controls," said Bill Dworin, a retired Los Angeles police expert on child sexual abuse who reviewed hundreds of Boy Scout files in an Oregon civil case.

Boy Scouts of America told the Times its computerized system has been used to routinely check volunteers and paid employees but conceded some bad apples managed to sneak through.

"The Boy Scouts of America believes even a single instance of abuse is unacceptable, and we regret there have been times when the BSA's best efforts to protect children were insufficient," organization said in a written statement. "For that we are very sorry and extend our deepest sympathies to victims. ... We are committed to the ongoing enhancement of our program, in line with evolving best practices for protecting youth."