Are Boy Scouts of America sitting on a list of 5,000 proven or suspected pedophiles in their ranks?

Imagine a national organization with tens of thousands of young male charges largely under the direction of a joint hierarchy dominated by secretive Mormons and duplicitous Catholics. Or vice versa. Or combinations thereof. What could go wrong? The Fifth Estate investigative program of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation found out.

LOS ANGELES -- Boy Scout officials in the U.S. and Canada not only failed to stop an admitted child molester in their ranks, but sometimes helped cover his tracks, according to confidential records, court files and interviews with victims and their families.

     Boy Scouts of America officials didn't call police in 1979 after Richard Turley acknowledged molesting three Orange County boys, records show.

     ...Turley is one of more than 5,000 suspected child molesters named in confidential documents kept by the Boy Scouts of America. The records – called the "perversion files" by the Scouts – include admissions of guilt as well as unproven allegations.

     ...The Oregon Supreme Court is now weighing a request by newspapers, a wire service and broadcasters to open about 1,200 more files in the wake of a nearly $20-million judgment in a Portland sex abuse case last year.

     ...Current Boy Scouts of America officials declined to be interviewed and would not say how many files exist or what is in them. Their lawyers have said the records are confidential, to protect victims and because some of the files are based on unsubstantiated tips.
     "The BSA has continued to enhance its youth protection efforts as society has increased its understanding of the dangers children face," the Scouts said in a statement.

The CBC has created a timeline of abuse and coverup.

Related: The Boy Scouts of America's Mormon problem.