Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - July 29, 2015, Winnipeg, Manitoba C M Y K PAGE A3 $ 0 down delivers up to $ 3000 We'll buy your trade, even if you don't buy from us! over blackbook for your trade LOW, LOW PAYMENTS! NOBODY BEATS CROWN DEALS! $$$ AVE ON HUGE FACTORY INCENTIVES! ENDS FRIDAY JULY 31 CROWN Acura 204- 269- 9551 CrownAcura. ca CROWN Honda McPhillips 204- 284- 6632 CrownHondaMcPhillips. ca CROWN Mazda 204- 885- 2623 CrownMazda. ca CROWN Automax 204- 487- 1858 CrownAutomax. ca CROWN Toyota Scion 204- 269- 1572 CrownToyotaScion. ca CROWN Nissan 204- 269- 4685 CrownNissan. ca CROWN Winnipeg Honda 204- 261- 9580 CrownWinnipegHonda. ca In The Waverley AutoMall at Waverley and Bishop Grandin 3690 Portage 2610 McPhillips TOP NEWS CITY EDITOR: SHANE MINKIN 204- 697- 7292 I CITY. DESK@ FREEPRESS. MB. CA I WINNIPEGFREEPRESS. COM WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2015 A 3 A N experienced volunteer leader with Scouts Canada has quietly been charged with repeatedly sexually abusing a Winnipeg teen - three years after the organization was first approached with complaints about his conduct, only to clear him of any wrongdoing following an internal investigation. Court documents show Larry Kiska, 45, was arrested May 25 and charged with sexual assault, sexual interference and touching for a sexual purpose. The girl involved was between the ages of 15 and 17 at the time. The alleged incidents occurred between August 2011 and May 2013, during both sanctioned Scouts events and private time. The Free Press has obtained a copy of a Scouts Canada memo that was distributed earlier this month to members of the Winnipeg troop the girl was in. Andrew Price, the executive commissioner and CEO, admitted his organization previously investigated Kiska in June 2012 and barred him from Scouting duties upon completion. " Concerns were raised about Mr. Kiska's compliance with Scouts Canada's Code of Conduct, and as per our safety policies he was immediately suspended and barred from participating in Scouting activities," Price wrote in the July 6 memo, which was sent out the day Kiska made his first court appearance after being released on a promise to appear. " Following his suspension, an internal review uncovered no criminal activity but the decision was made to terminate his membership." At the time of the internal Scouts investigation, the alleged sexual abuse against the teen girl had already been happening for 10 months, according to the criminal charges filed against Kiska. The abuse allegedly continued for another 11 months following Kiska's termination from the organization. The teen girl only recently went to police, which led to the investigation and arrest earlier this year. Price didn't include any further details of the concerns initially brought forward against Kiska or the scope of their investigation, such as why they decided to first suspend and then fire a volunteer they found had done no wrong. Price didn't return a message from the Free Press seeking additional details Tuesday. " For over 100 years, Scouts Canada has been committed to the healthy development of young people in every community across our country," Price wrote in the memo. He admitted " our commitment to youth safety has come under scrutiny." Justice sources told the Free Press Tuesday several members of the Winnipeg troop are now questioning Scouts Canada executive members about the original investigation, including who was involved, what their qualifications were and what steps were taken. Some have also urged management to issue a much broader public statement about the incident in the event there could be other alleged victims no longer with the troop who didn't receive the internal memo. Winnipeg police also didn't issue any public notice about Kiska's arrest. " Scouts Canada has been co- operating with the Winnipeg Police Service during the course of their investigation, and they have assured us that beyond today's charges there is no further indication that Scouting youth have been harmed through Mr. Kiska's ( alleged) actions. Scouts Canada will continue to co- operate with the Winnipeg police in any way that we can," Price wrote in the memo. Kiska joined Scouts Canada in 2007 and completed " all training and police screening requirements prior to working with youth," Price said. " This situation reinforces the need for Scouts Canada to remain vigilant in ensuring that our youth safety policies are followed to the letter by every single member of our organization. We must ensure that our volunteers and Scouting parents understand our strict safety policies, are encouraged to ( report) any potential safety concerns, and are confident that should they do so," Price told members. " Scouts Canada will act swiftly. There can be no exceptions at any time. We must always err on the side of caution." This is not the first case of its kind to make local headlines. Earlier this year, a longtime former volunteer with Scouts Canada admitted to a series of sex crimes against children. Christopher ( Shecky) Elwick, 34, pleaded guilty to eight charges for incidents that occurred in Manitoba and Alberta between 2008 and 2013. These include sexual assaults against two boys and making child pornography with numerous unsuspecting children he secretly videotaped - including many who have never been identified by police. Some of Elwick's crimes were committed against children he came into contact with through his work as a volunteer with Scouts Canada between 1999 and 2009, court was told. Elwick also worked for several years as a radio DJ. Elwick led a Scouts troop for teens, which gained a popular following because he would often take the children on extended camping trips, and to music festivals and rock concerts he managed to secure access to through his radio station connections. He would often drink and smoke drugs in front of the children while engaging them with racist, homophobic, crude and vulgar humour, court was told. Elwick was fired from Scouts Canada as soon as the allegations came to light last fall. He remains in custody without bail and is expected to be sentenced in October once a series of court- ordered reports are completed. The Crown is seeking a lengthy penitentiary sentence. Scouts Canada hired the auditing firm KPMG to examine 486 records from 1947 to 2011 in which adult scouting leaders were suspended or terminated on sexual misconduct against children and youth allegations. An earlier review of how Scouts Canada dealt with abuse allegations by its group leaders found dozens of cases reported to Scouts Canada had not been passed on to the police. www. mikeoncrime. com Scout leader faces sex charges Three years after internal investigation by Scouts Canada By Mike McIntyre FP EXCLUSIVE ' Following his suspension, an internal review uncovered no criminal activity but the decision was made to terminate his membership' - Scouts CEO Andrew Price in a July 6 memo on the alleged incidents. Scouts insiders are now questioning that review PHOTOS BY RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS All smiles in the sun Angel Best, 12, plays a round of musical chairs with fellow dancers ( left), and Precious Harper, 12, lets the wind catch her shawl while dancing ( right) Tuesday during the Gilbert Park Community Pow Wow. A_ 03_ Jul- 29- 15_ FP_ 01. indd A3 7/ 28/ 15 10: 01: 43 PM ;