ST. PAUL — Two men are suing the Boy Scouts of America, claiming they were sexually abused as scouts by troop leaders in St. Paul.

The plaintiffs’ attorney said the lawsuits allege the Boy Scouts organization created a public nuisance by its negligence and concealment of abuse allegations and by failing to warn parents and others about the “prevalence” of abuse.

Attorney Jeff Anderson said the lawsuits are aimed at making the Boy Scouts “come clean” and to protect children.

The alleged abuse happened more than 40 years ago.

The Minnesota-based Northern Star Council of Scouting released a statement saying the files “were confidential to encourage prompt reporting and protect the identity of any victims.”  The council says now, all reports of abuse are immediately conveyed to law enforcement.