With help from its primary insurer, The Hartford, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Boy Scouts of America reached a tentative agreement to pay out more than $1 billion in claims to men who were molested in the organization. The church, the largest sponsor of Scout troops before ending its partnership early last year, has agreed to contribute $250 million into a fund established for abuse claims.
LDS church spokesperson Eric Hawkins says the church condemns abuse of any kind and it expresses its love and concern for those who have experienced abuse through Scouting or any other circumstance. Hawkins says the contribution will “provide opportunities to alleviate the suffering of those who have experienced abuse.”
Because of the payments made by the church and The Hartford, both will be released from any further liability involving abuse claims filed by men who said they were molested by scoutmasters or others.