News & Perspective

January 1, 2021

Boy Scouts Trying to Avoid Responsibility for Sexual Abuse Crisis by Shielding Assets from Victim Compensation Fund

Hurley McKenna & Mertz represents over 4,500 victims of Boy Scout sexual abuse. On behalf of our clients and all victims of sexual abuse, we strongly oppose all attempts by the Boy Scouts to use their bankruptcy proceeding to avoid...

December 30, 2020

316-page Report Describes Instances of Alleged Sexual Abuse by Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

A 2017 report by prepared by Deborah J. Diener, RN BSN CLNC, documents instances of alleged sexual abuse by members of the Church of Jesus Christ Mormon Church between 1959 and 2017. The report is based on a detailed review...

December 29, 2020

LDS Church Hit With Seven Arizona Lawsuits for Role in Boy Scout Abuse

Earlier this week, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was hit with seven lawsuits in Arizona for its alleged role in covering up sexual abuse among Boy Scout troops within the state. Arizona has an end-of-year deadline for...

December 15, 2020

Why Is Sexual Abuse So Common in the Mormon Church?

Unfortunate instances of sexual abuse within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints have made headlines recently, and it’s becoming clear that there is a long-running pattern of indiscretions among the ranks of the Church. Especially where children are...

December 10, 2020

How Filing a Sexual Abuse Claim Against the Mormon Church Protects the Futures of Our Children

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS)—formerly the Mormon Church—is facing justice after decades of sexual abuse amongst its leadership. Today, victims are bravely coming forward to bring their stories of sexual abuse to light. For many, it’s...

November 30, 2020

Rev. David Ryan Investigated for Past Child Sex Abuse at Maryville Academy in Des Plaines

The Archdiocese of Chicago is investigating allegations that one of its priests, Fr. David Ryan, sexually abused children at Maryville Academy in Des Plaines, Illinois, approximately 25 years ago. Fr. Ryan started working at Maryville Academy in 1985, and he...

November 24, 2020

I Missed the Boy Scouts Bankruptcy Deadline, Can I Still File a Claim Against the Local Councils?

Now that the bankruptcy deadline to file sexual abuse claims against Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has closed, victims may still take action against BSA local councils and troop sponsoring organizations after several states extended their statute of limitations. Many...

November 16, 2020

What Happens After the November 16 Boy Scouts Bankruptcy Deadline?

With the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) bankruptcy deadline today, many victims are wondering what happens next. As of tomorrow, victims are no longer able to file claims against BSA in the Bankruptcy Court. They are, however, allowed to file...