At stressful time, Boy Scouts top boss goes on medical leave

November 5, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. | Updated November 5, 2019 at 5:04 p.m.

by Associated Press

FILE- In this June 25, 2016, file photo, Cub Scouts watch a race during the Second Annual World Championship Pinewood Derby in New York's Times Square. In January 2020, the Boy Scouts of America will increase its annual youth membership fee by more than 80% as it faces a potentially ruinous wave of new sex-abuse lawsuits. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)
FILE- In this June 25, 2016, file photo, Cub Scouts watch a race during the Second Annual World Championship Pinewood Derby in New York's Times Square. In January 2020, the Boy Scouts of America will increase its annual youth membership fee by more than 80% as it faces a potentially ruinous wave of new sex-abuse lawsuits. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)

The Boy Scouts of America says its chief executive has gone on a medical leave of absence.

The news of Mike Surbaugh's departure comes as the youth organization faces financial difficulties related to sex abuse litigation. It hasn't ruled out declaring bankruptcy.

The chairman of the Scout's national executive committee says he and a colleague will help fill the leadership void until an interim chief executive is chosen.

Surbaugh had held the top post since October 2015.

For years, the BSA has been entangled in costly litigation with plaintiffs who said they were abused by scout leaders in their youth. Hundreds of lawsuits may lie ahead with the recent enactment of laws in New York, New Jersey, Arizona and California making it easier for victims of long-ago abuse to seek damages.

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