NEW YORK — The lawyers' ads on the internet aggressively seeking clients to file sexual abuse lawsuits give a taste of what lies ahead this year for the Boy Scouts of America: potentially the most fateful chapter in its 109-year history. Sexual abuse settlements have already strained the Boy Scouts'...
Woman Details Alleged 2003 Abuse by R. Kelly in TV Interview
CHICAGO — One of the four women whom R. Kelly is charged with sexually abusing — and the only one who wasn't underage when the alleged abuse occurred — publicly leveled her accusations against the R&B singer in a televised interview that aired Thursday. Lanita Carter said during the interview on...
Livid R. Kelly Cries, Calls Sex Abuse Accusers Liars
CHICAGO — R&B star R. Kelly cried, angrily stood up and ranted about being "assassinated" during his first interview since being charged with sexual abuse, calling his accusers liars and saying people are after him for his money. Kelly, one of the best-selling music artists of all time, told Gayle...
Nearly 6,000 Abuse Complaints at Migrant Children Shelters
WASHINGTON — Thousands of accusations of sexual abuse and harassment of migrant children in government-funded shelters were made over the past four years, including scores directed against adult staff members, according to federal data released Tuesday. The cases include allegations of inappropriate touching, staff members allegedly watching minors while they...
Analysis: Pope's Sex Abuse Summit: What It Did and Didn't Do
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis' summit on preventing sexual abuse was never going to meet the expectations placed on it by victims groups, the media and ordinary Catholics outraged over a scandal that has harmed so many and compromised the church's moral authority so much. Indeed, no sweeping new law...
Boy Scouts’ Money Struggles: Is Bankruptcy an Option?
NEW YORK — The Boy Scouts of America deflected questions about a report suggesting it is considering seeking bankruptcy protection, though the head of the organization said it is exploring "all options" as it tries to stay afloat while facing sexual abuse lawsuits and dwindling membership. "I want to assure...
Labrador Dog Named Lucy Saves Oregon Man From Sex Conviction
SALEM, Ore. — The discovery of a black Labrador named Lucy led to the unraveling of a criminal case Monday against an Oregon man who had begun serving a 50-year prison sentence. Joshua Horner, a plumber from the central Oregon town of Redmond, was convicted on April 12, 2017, of...
Pope on Sex Abuse: 'We Showed No Care for the Little Ones'
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis issued a letter to Catholics around the world Monday condemning the crime of priestly sexual abuse and its cover-up. He demanded accountability but offered no indication of how he plans to sanction complicit bishops or end the Vatican's long-standing culture of secrecy. Francis begged forgiveness...
Church Sex Scandal: Abuse Victims Want a Full Reckoning
Six Roman Catholic dioceses in Pennsylvania joined the list this week of those around the U.S. that have been forced to face the ugly truth about child-molesting priests in their ranks. But in dozens of other dioceses, there has been no reckoning, leading victims to wonder if the church will...
R. Kelly Sings About Troubles in Revealing 19-Minute Song
NEW YORK — R. Kelly sings about his troubles and battles in a new 19-minute song, addressing sexual abuse claims against him that have put a screeching halt on his career. The song, "I Admit," was posted to Soundcloud on Monday. The track begins with the lyrics, "I admit I...