The Boy Scouts of America are facing a major scandal as records obtained by the Los Angeles Times exposed that from 1970 to 1991 the organization failed to report allegations of the sexual abuse by of scouts by adult leaders and volunteers. Making matters worse, the BSA apparently helped the accused hide their crimes.

The LA Times reviewed some 1600 internal files that it obtained. Making matters more difficult for the BSA is the fact that some 1200 “ineligible volunteer” files from 1965 to 1985 are set to be released as well. Those files are becoming public because of a 2010 lawsuit involving the BSA covering up a pedophile case from the 1980′s. The BSA was found liable in the case.

The BSA stated about the incidents that they have “continuously enhanced its multi-tiered policies and procedures, which now include background checks, comprehensive training programs and safety policies.”

The organization is still facing more than 50 child sexual abuse cases across some eighteen states. They also pointed out that the number of molesters is a small fraction of the number of volunteers and other adults that have worked for them over the years.

The BSA has come under increased fire over their insistence on excluding lesbians and gays from their ranks. The BSA is also facing decreased enrollment.