Eatontown man sues Boy Scouts, Long Branch schools for alleged sexual abuse in 1960s

FREEHOLD - A 69-year old Eatontown man is suing the Boy Scouts of America for alleged sexual abuse that occurred in 1964, when he was 12.

Kenneth Orechio alleges that his Scout leader, Vance Herbert, molested him on multiple occasions when he was under his supervision. He claims the abuse occurred during a camping trip, merit badge activities, and in the Scout leader's car and home.

Orechio claims in the lawsuit filed in state Superior Court in Monmouth County that Herbert exposed his genitals to him, forced him to undress and fondled him.

The suit claims that the Boy Scouts of America hid the sexual abuse of children by Herbert in order to protect its reputation.

Also named in the suit are the Monmouth Council, the local chapter of the Boy Scouts of America and Long Branch Public Schools because Scout meetings and programs were held at a former district public school, North Long Branch Elementary School.

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Neither the Boy Scouts of America nor Orechio's lawyer, Jay Mascolo, of the RAM law firm in New Brunswick, could provide information on Herbert, whether he was alive or his last place of residence.

Mascolo said he is representing five dozen clients in sexual abuse claims against the Boy Scouts of America that were filed in the two years since Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation in 2019 extending the statute of limitations in civil actions for sexual abuse claims.

The law also created a two-year window for parties to bring lawsuits based on sexual abuse that would be time-barred even with the new statute of limitations and expands the categories of potential defendants in civil actions.

New Jersey is one of many states to pass such a law, which has resulted in waves of sexual abuse claims across the nation filed against such entities as the Boy Scouts and the Roman Catholic Church.

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The number of filings forced the Boy Scouts of America to file for bankruptcy. The organization is proposing to pay roughly $220 million toward a trust to compensate tens of thousands of former members who say they were abused as scouts.

The proposed settlement would amount to about $6,000 per claimant.

When the organization filed for bankruptcy it said it faced 275 lawsuits in state and federal courts plus another 1,400 potential claims.

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In a statement to the Asbury Park Press, Michael Mahon, the Scout executive and CEO of the Monmouth Council, Boy Scouts of America, said the organization is deeply saddened by the pain and suffering that survivors of past abuse have endured.

"We are committed to fulfilling our social and moral responsibility to equitably compensate survivors while also ensuring that Scouting can continue to benefit youth, families, and communities in New Jersey for many years to come. That is why we continue our efforts in the national organization's Chapter 11 case toward a global resolution of past abuse cases that would achieve both of these imperatives," Mahon said.

In recent years the Boy Scouts have adopted policies such as a screening process for adult leaders and staff that include criminal background checks. The organization has banned one-on-one situations where adults would be alone with children and requires at least two youth-protection trained adults be with youth at all times during Scouting activities.

When Jersey Shore native Dan Radel is not reporting the news, you can find him in a college classroom where he is a history professor. Reach him @danielradelapp; 732-643-4072; dradel@gannettnj.com.

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