Trail of Betrayal Feature
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Systemic failures left Scouts at risk
A Scripps national investigation into more than two decades of Boy Scouts of America internal records reveals it failed to stop Scout-leader pedophiles from becoming repeat offenders or from re-entering Scouting.
Document Trail
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Document trail: Thomas Hacker
Scout confidential records show how Hacker "beat the system" by registering in more than one troop, at a time when officials didn't check multiple registrations.
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Document trail: Floyd David Slusher
See for yourself: inside his confidential files. Slusher was convicted twice of sex crimes against youth.
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Document trail: Melvin Chris Estes
Examine the confidential documents for yourself. Estes was convicted in 1989 of three counts of aggravated sexual assault and one count of indecency with a child.
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Document trail: Jerry L. Parrish
Examine the confidential records. Jerry Lee Parrish's first run-in with the Scouts was in 1976.
Extended Interviews
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Video interview: Wayne Perry, BSA Pres.
Boy Scouts of America national president Wayne Perry explains why the organization continues to keep confidential files, and how it works with law enforcement today. He also explains why he's proud of what the Boy Scouts does to try to help kids.
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Video interview: Veronica Akins
Veronica Akins’ son, Chance, was molested by Scoutmaster Melvin Christopher Estes in the late 1980s, sending the boy into a downward spiral, she said. Akins sued the Boy Scouts of America, taking her case all the way to the Texas Supreme Court.
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Video interview: Clay Evans
Clay Evans was a Boy Scout in the 1970’s. A police investigation into the actions of his Scoutmaster, Floyd David Slusher, revealed that nearly every boy in both of the troops he led had been approached sexually by Slusher. Evans talks about how he’s been affected over the past 30 years.
Full Series
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Part 1 - Inside the Files
Our exclusive look into the Boy Scouts confidential files – 30,000 documents, 10 journalists, 6 months of research. Our investigation reveals scouts’ pleas for help being ignored while some scout leaders were promised confidentiality.
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Part 2 - Systemic Failures
The Scripps National Investigative Team tracks systemic problems within the Boy Scouts of America, including poor background checks, and suspected molesters moving from troop to troop. More of our exclusive interview with the leader of BSA.
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Part 3 - Scouts Today
After revelations of abuse within the Boy Scouts of America, how has the organization and its policies changed, and are changes working? You’ll hear different sides. Plus, a one-time abused scout has to decide whether scouting is right for his sons.
