Rochester Man Sues Boy Scouts Over Alleged Abuse

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - A Rochester man who alleges he was molested by a Boy Scout leader in the 1970s is suing the Scouts.

It's the third lawsuit involving the former scoutmaster, Richard Hokanson, since Minnesota temporarily lifted its statute of limitations for sexual abuse cases. He pleaded guilty in 1982 to molesting three Scouts in a troop sponsored by St. Pius X Church in Rochester. At a news conference in St. Paul on Wednesday, Scott Hart said he decided to go public to seek justice on behalf of all children abused by Hokanson.

The lawsuit names the Boy Scouts of America, the Gamehaven Council, the church and Hokanson.

The council's executive, Robert Bock, says he can't comment on the lawsuit but says the Scouts are very sorry for all members who've been abused.