Posted on 05/21/2017 7:02:54 AM PDT by Perseverando
HALL COUNTY, Ga. - Court documents reveal evidence that church and Boy Scout leaders knew about a sexual abuser and not only allowed him to continue working, but also promoted him.
Fleming Weaver would go on to meet victims who eventually came forward with rape accusations last year.
This is a case that spans several decades in Hall County. It’s a case that accuses the Boy Scouts, a Gainesville church and its leaders of lying to keep a horrific secret.
Documents obtained by Channel 2 Action News include a file that Boy Scouts handed over just last week after a two-year court fight.
"We know now why they didn't want it (the file) turned over," attorney Esther Panitch said.
The file details a three-decade journey with Troop 26, admitted sexual abuse and an admission that leaders knew about molestation, kept silent and even promoted the abuser.
"It appears from that file that they all conspired to keep quiet to protect a pedophile and his family and their own reputations and their bottom line," Panitch said.
While the criminal details came to light in the 90s, after Georgia's statute of limitations expired, a 2016 civil suit against the Boy Scouts Georgia Northeast Council, First Church of Gainesville and leaders still has a day in court.
A 1995 transcript shows Weaver, now 83, admitted to police that he raped at least five boys before 1981 and sought counseling.
Soon after, a neighboring district attorney, also a Boy Scout leader, revealed that confession to the district council, expressing "rage" that Weaver continued to be honored.
Weaver resigned for health reasons, and a media statement was crafted to deal with an anticipated firestorm.
The documents we dug through reveal police interviews where church leaders said they knew about the victims before Weaver's confession and admitted to keeping it from police.
Amid the allegations, Weaver was promoted to Scout leader, allowing him to meet victims who are part of the new lawsuit.
Panitch represents three of those victims.
"Until those people are held responsible or they're named in trial, people will continue to keep this quiet," she said.
The case serves as a disturbing reminder of what has haunted so many in a tight-knit community.
"I despise child abuse more than anything in the world," resident Alex Fowler said.
Weaver and his wife relocated to Florida last year. Channel 2 Action News reached out to the defendants and their attorneys about the new evidence and lawsuit, but so far has not gotten a response.
Pedophilia is pandemic in America - https://www.justice.gov/psc/press-room
Homos and pervs all work together,for THEIR greater good.Line ‘em all up against the wall.
Under Sharia law this is acceptable and Muslims approve of the sex with underage boys. Where are the ACLU and CAIR proponents?
I was abused by a scout leader of a Catholic “parish pack” when I was 8....far as I know he was kept in that position for years after.
But you repeat yourself.
indeed this is a result of allowing pervs near our children
I am so sorry. I hope you are recovering from this horrific tragedy.
The trials and tragedies of life make us who we are.
There’s a whole laundry list of perv sub-types out there.Makes me sick.
This is the result of allowing pervs to exist in our society unchecked.
The gay lifestyle reins supreme. Ask the Catholic Church what the queers did to them. Most escaped prosecution. Of the male queers that infected young boys in the Bay Area of San Fran, not 1% were ever prosecuted. And people, right here on this site, call them gay and many defend their actions. The closet is not open but a crack.
The ACLU is run by queer lawyers.
Perhaps us old-timers were naive when we describe "the good old days" and have no memories of this type of sexual/predatory abuse. It may be time to administer psychiatric tests and background checks before teachers and child group 'leaders' get access to our precious children. And no adult in these positions of 'trust' should be alone with minors. Parents are so trusting and the predators know it.
Thank you, but honestly I don’t believe it had any lasting harmful effects.
Pretty much thought it was creepy at the time and just wanted it over with.
i’m sorry that happened to you.
Nobody has a perfect life....can’t let one bad incident determine ones future.
Snowflakes would allow it serve as an excuse for every personal failure in their life.
A once-great American institution has turned to $hit.
Racket Man
Homos and pervs all work together,for THEIR greater good.Line ‘em all up against the wall.
____________________________________________________________
Everyone in both orgs that had any knowledge of this or were in a position where they should have had knowledge of this, all the way down to admin clerks, janitors and phone answerers if necessary, should be right there beside the homos and pervs against that wall.
Those who fail to stand up against evil when confronted with it are participants of that evil.
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