Boy Scouts, Church, Leader Sued over 1970s Claims

PADUCAH, KY – The Boy Scouts of America and the Episcopal Diocese of Kentucky are being sued by a man who contends he was sexually abused by his scoutmaster 35 years ago.

The lawsuit filed by 49-year-old Joseph Andrecht of the Paducah area contends he was sexually abused by a scoutmaster identified as Daniel Middleton. Andrecht was a member of Troop 1, based at Grace Episcopal Church in Paducah.

The Courier-Journal reports Andrecht’s lawsuit contends the Boy Scouts never warned parents or scouts although it had known of sexual predators among troop leaders since the 1950s. The suit was filed Wednesday in McCracken County Circuit Court.

The Boy Scouts of America did not immediately return an e-mail message seeking comment. The newspaper said Bishop Terry White of the Diocese of Kentucky, which hasn’t yet been served with the lawsuit, declined to comment.

Middleton is not named as a defendant. No phone number could be located for him.