KAYSVILLE, Utah — For decades, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was one of Boy Scouts of America’s greatest allies and the largest sponsor of troops. But on Jan. 1, the Utah-based faith will deliver the latest blow to the struggling organization when it pulls out more than...
Epstein May Have Gamed the System From Beyond the Grave
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The will that Jeffrey Epstein signed just two days before his jailhouse suicide puts more than $577 million in assets into a trust fund that could make it more difficult for his dozens of accusers to collect damages. Estate lawyers and other experts say prying open...
Labor Secretary Acosta Resigning Amid Criticism of Epstein Deal
WASHINGTON — Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta said Friday he is resigning following renewed scrutiny of his handling of a 2008 secret plea deal with wealthy financier Jeffrey Esptein, who is accused of sexually abusing dozens of underage girls. President Donald Trump, with Acosta at his side, made the announcement as he...
Cardinal Pell Sent to Prison for Abusing 2 Boys in Australia
MELBOURNE, Australia — The most senior Catholic convicted of child sex abuse was sentenced Wednesday to six years in prison for molesting two choirboys in an Australian cathedral in a crime the judge said showed "staggering arrogance." Cardinal George Pell must serve a minimum of 3 years and 8 months...
Lawyer Enters Not Guilty Plea for R. Kelly in Sex Abuse Case
CHICAGO — R&B star R. Kelly's attorney entered not guilty pleas on the singer's behalf Monday after Kelly was charged with sexually abusing four victims dating back to 1998, including three underage teenagers. Kelly, one of the best-selling music artists of all time, walked into a Chicago courtroom wearing an...
Pope Wants Bishops to Punish Sex Abusers, Not Cover up Cases
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis is insisting that bishops attending his high-stakes sex abuse prevention summit will learn the laws to use against predators, how to care for victims and will make sure that no cleric abuse cases are covered up again. The Vatican on Wednesday provided details about the...
Former Major Leaguer Wetteland Charged With Child Sex Abuse
DENTON, Texas — Former major league pitcher John Wetteland has been charged in Texas with continuous sex abuse of a child under age 14. Denton County jail records show the 52-year-old Wetteland was arrested Monday and freed on $25,000 bond. Authorities have not released details of the investigation into Wetteland,...
Vatican Committee: Church Credibility at Risk Over Sex Abuse
VATICAN CITY — Organizers of an upcoming Vatican summit on sex abuse prevention are warning that the credibility of the Catholic Church is in jeopardy over the abuse scandal and are urging participants to meet with victims personally before coming to Rome. In a letter sent Tuesday to the presidents...
USA Gymnastics Files for Bankruptcy After Sex-Abuse Scandal
USA Gymnastics is turning to bankruptcy in an attempt to ensure its survival. The embattled organization filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition on Wednesday in an effort to reach settlements in the dozens of sex-abuse lawsuits it faces and to avoid its potential demise at the hands of the U.S....
Pope: Priestly Abuse Scandals Driving Catholic Faithful Away
TALLINN, Estonia — Pope Francis acknowledged Tuesday that priestly sex abuse scandals are outraging the Catholic faithful and driving them away, and said the church must change its ways if it wants to keep future generations. Francis referred directly to the crisis convulsing his papacy on the fourth and final...