Ex-Scout leader denies molesting kids

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - A former Boy Scout leader who spent 10 years behind bars for various crimes, including assault, harassment and sexual offenses, says he had no idea he had a secret file detailing his prior record.

Kenneth Dingman's name is listed among the so-called "perversion files," released by the Boy Scouts of America. The tens of thousands of documents detail 20 years of hidden sex abuse at the hands of Scout leaders and volunteers.

MORE | You can see the data released for yourself here. You can organize it by name, year, troop number, city and state

News 4 tracked down Dingman on Friday. We asked him if he has a history of sexual abuse, or if he likes young boys.

Dingman responded, "No, I don't. I don't even like kids, period."

In 1975, Dingman, according to the LA Times, pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a 12-year-old boy.

"I don't even remember that," Dingman said, "because nothing ever happened like that."

MORE | See the "perversion file" the Scouts kept on Dingman, detailing how despite once being accused of abusing a 12-year-old boy, they allowed him to again become a den leader

He was expelled from the Scouts for a second time after that incident. Four years prior, the Boy Scouts had made him resign, saying he has a psychological problem and it was best if records show he was not associated with scouting.

Then in 1996, Dingman pleaded guilty to sodomizing a 15-year-old Medina boy.

Even though he was convicted and found guilty Dingman said that he will deny it 'to his dying day'.

"I didn't have a chance to prove my case," he claims.

While Dingman adamantly denies the charges against him, at least two other western New Yorkers were named in the so-called perversion files, and at least one is now serving time in prison.

Russell Etzenhouser wouldn't speak specifically to these secret documents, but as Scout Executive for the Greater Niagara Region he says, that was then and leaders are hired differently now.

"We start from the criminal background check with every registered adult volunteer. We have ongoing training to make sure we have the best and latest methods to help keep children safe," he explained.

MORE | Learn more on what the Boy Scouts have done to try and prevent children from being abused

As part of these new security measures, the Scouts have a "two-deep policy," meaning at least two adults supervise any event and there is never one-on-one contact. And now, scouting policies require victims or witnesses to report any suspected abuse to a governmental agency.

But these new-found safety measures may not be too late to right the wrongs of decades past.