Virginia ties to boy scout abuse scandal - NBC12.com - Richmond, VA News

Investigations are still being done in many cases of former boy scout leaders accused of having inappropriate relationships with scouts. One of those cases happened right here in Virginia.

53-year-old Eric Avant from Virginia Beach, is now a registered sex offender.

He was convicted in March of 1988 with taking indecent liberties with children as well as aggravated sexual battery.

Avant was sentenced to 26 years in prison. Although the family of the young victim said they would not have seek prosecution had Avant sought psychiatric treatment.

It's one of several alleged Virginia Boy Scout scandals.

In Richmond in June of 1991, a volunteer was forced to step down after a scout accused the leader of inappropriate behavior when he wanted to "play doctor" with the boys.

In another case in Alexandria, a Boy Scout leader was told to have no further contact with children other than his own as a result of sexual abuse charges that were not directly related to the scouts.

As this new information becomes available to the public, attorneys claimed that the Boy Scouts of America kept quiet because it was more concerned with its image rather than the victims.

The group has since issued an apology for failing to protect the young scouts.

Copyright 2012 WWBT NBC12.  All rights reserved.