Scouts want records to stay sealed

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho – The Boy Scouts of America is opposing the possible unsealing of court records in a civil case involving a Scout leader convicted of molesting children.

Attorneys for the Scouts organization have filed papers arguing an eastern Idaho judge should not hold a hearing over whether to open the case.

Seventh District Judge W. H. Woodland issued an order last week granting the Post Register’s request to get involved with the case involving Brad Stowell, who spent 150 days in jail and paid $10,000 after pleading guilty to molesting children. The abuse occurred in 1998 while Stowell was working at the Little Lemhi Boy Scout Camp in Swan Valley.

The hearing to discuss unsealing the case is scheduled Feb. 8.

It would allow the newspaper’s attorney, Steve Wright, to examine the sealed files so he can argue to have the case opened. The order prohibits Wright from telling anyone, including the Idaho Falls newspaper, what he sees in the file. Wright said the case should be opened so parents can ensure their children are safe at Scout camp.

Woodland said the case was sealed as a condition of settlement. According to a recent court order, a boy molested by the Scout leader wanted people to find out about the case, but the Boy Scouts didn’t.

The Boy Scouts asked Woodland to delay that hearing. They say a judge is not authorized to let anyone involve themselves with an already resolved case. And they argue the newspaper’s attorney should not be granted access to the case and see secret documents.