Oregon judge grants, then stays Boy Scouts’ secret files release pending appeal
By APFriday, June 18, 2010
Ore. judge grants, stays Scouts files release
PORTLAND, Ore. — A Portland judge granted and then stayed a request by news organizations to release more than 1,000 Boy Scouts of America files on suspected child molesters given to a jury that found the Scouts liable for $20 million in damages.
Judge John Wittmayer ruled Friday the files should be released after the names of victims and people who reported abuse are redacted.
But the judge also stayed his order pending an appeal by the Boy Scouts, who argued the release could damage their defense in pending abuse cases.
The files were compiled from 1965-85 and introduced as evidence in a trial resulting in the jury award in April.
The Associated Press, The Oregonian, The New York Times, Oregon Public Broadcasting, KGW-TV and Courthouse News Service are seeking the records.
