Paramus Boy Scout Leader Accused Of Sexual Abuse

PARAMUS, NJ — A former Boy Scout leader from Paramus was one of more than 50 who were accused of sexual abuse and named by attorneys who represent victims on Tuesday.

James Cooper submitted his registration with the Boy Scouts of America on Sept. 13, 1982, according to records released by the law firms of Greg Gianforcaro and Jeff Anderson & Associates. The records were named by the Boy Scouts as the "perversion files," according to Mike Finnegan, an attorney with one of the firms.

Cooper was charged with three counts each of sexual assault and criminal sexual contact, according to a letter from the Boy Scouts of America Bergen Council.

Cooper was a merit badge counselor with the Boys Scouts' Ramapo Mountain District.

Cooper was sentenced to five years in prison in 1984 for having an illicit sexual relationship with a then-15-year-old boy, according to an old newspaper article contained in the files. In the article, Cooper was the recording secretary for the North American Man-Boy Love Association.

Related: Over 50 NJ Boy Scout Leaders Accused Of Sexual Abuse Named

Cooper was also accused of molesting the youth's younger brother, and another youth, according to the files.

Other local Boy Scout leaders on the list are: Roy A. Franklin of Lincoln Park and Michael J. Abidiwan and John Sileo, both of Nutley.

The New Jersey list is a small fraction of the more than 7,800 people whom the Boy Scouts believed were involved in the sexual abuse of children, according to court testimony earlier this year from a psychiatry professor who audited the files.

The Boy Scouts of America has released a statement saying that the organization cares deeply "about all victims of child abuse and sincerely apologize to anyone who was harmed during their time in scouting."

"We believe victims, we support them, and we have paid for unlimited counseling by a provider of their choice," the statement read in part. "Nothing is more important than the safety and protection of children in Scouting, and we are outraged that there have been times when individuals took advantage of our programs to abuse innocent children.

"At no time have we ever knowingly allowed a perpetrator to work with youth, and we mandate that all leaders, volunteers and staff members nationwide immediately report any abuse allegation to law enforcement."

For more information about the release of the names, and the Boy Scouts of America reaction, click here.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com