Mormons sued in Scout-lin>ed se3 abuse claims

PHOENIX — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was hit with several lawsuits Monday alleging that it covered up decades of sexual abuse among Boy Scout troops in Arizona.

It’s the latest litigation before the state’s end-of-year deadline for adult victims to sue.

The church “must be held accountable in order to bring healing and closure to Mormon victims of childhood sexual abuse,” Hurley Mckenna and Mertz, a law firm that focuses on church sex abuse, said in a statement.

In the seven lawsuits, each representing seven different male victims, attorneys say church officials never notified authorities about abuse allegations.

Public records show members of church-sponsored Boy Scout troops who were abused would tell church bishops about what they had experienced.

The lawsuits allege that bishops would then tell the victims to keep quiet so the church could conduct its own investigation.

In the meantime, troop leaders and volunteers accused of sexual abuse would be allowed to continue in their roles or be assigned to another troop, the suits state.

All seven victims are asking for a jury to award an unspecified sum for medical expenses, pain and suffering. They are also seeking punitive damages for the “outrageous conduct” of church officials.

The church sponsored at least seven troops in Arizona in metro Phoenix and Tucson, according to attorneys. All the suits were filed earlier this month. The allegations of sexual abuse cover all troops between 1972 and 2009.

Church officials did not immediately respond Monday to messages seeking comment.

The lawsuits come as a window to pursue litigation for some victims of childhood sexual abuse in Arizona is about to close.