Man Files Sex Abuse Lawsuit Against Boy Scouts of America

In a Tuesday, Oct., 16, 2012 photo, Portland attorney Kelly Clark examines some of the 14,500 pages of previously confidential documents created by the Boy Scouts of America concerning child sexual abuse within the organization, in preparation for releasing the documents Thursday, Oct. 18, in his office in Portland, Ore. The Boy Scouts of America fought to keep those files confidential. (AP Photo/Greg Wahl-Stephens)

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By Liz Blood

Story Created: Jan 18, 2013 at 1:35 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jan 18, 2013 at 1:35 PM CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A lawsuit alleging childhood sex abuse has been filed against the Boy Scouts of America, the Des Moines-based Mid-Iowa Council, and a former Scout leader.

The lawsuit filed Friday in Polk County District Court named the scouting organizations and Kenneth L. Newell, who now lives in Cedar Rapids.

The lawsuit filed on behalf of an unnamed victim alleges sexual abuse when he was member of a West Des Moines troop. He was then 12 and 13. He is now in his 40s and lives in central Iowa. The abuse allegedly occurred in 1977 or 1978.

Boy Scouts spokesman Deron Smith says he can't comment on active litigation.

A telephone number for Newell could not immediately be located. Newell has never been criminally charged in the alleged abuse.

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