The Franklin Scandal

1. The Franklin Scandal exposes a hidden world of power, abuse, and betrayal.

The children, and our society as a whole, have been betrayed.

Unveiling a parallel universe. The Franklin Scandal reveals a disturbing reality coexisting with everyday American life, one marked by organized child trafficking and its concealment by authorities. This hidden world challenges our perceptions of safety and justice, forcing us to confront the potential for corruption at the highest levels.

Beyond individual acts. The scandal isn't just about isolated incidents of abuse; it points to a network of power brokers who exploited vulnerable children for their own gratification and gain. This systemic nature of the abuse makes it particularly insidious and difficult to expose.

Betrayal of trust. The scandal highlights a profound betrayal of trust, not only of the children involved but also of the public, who rely on institutions like law enforcement and the media to protect them. The cover-up suggests that these institutions may be compromised, serving the interests of the powerful rather than the vulnerable.

2. Larry King's rise and fall reveals systemic corruption.

He was Vice Chairman for Finance of the National Black Republican Council, a sanctioned affiliate of the Republican National Committee.

From humble beginnings to political influence. Larry King's story is a classic tale of ambition and corruption. Rising from a working-class background, he amassed wealth and power through the Franklin Credit Union, using his position to cultivate relationships with influential figures in politics and business.

Exploiting a community. King's credit union, intended to serve Omaha's underserved black community, became a vehicle for his personal enrichment and political advancement. This betrayal of trust highlights the vulnerability of marginalized communities to exploitation by those in positions of power.

Political protection. King's political connections allowed him to evade scrutiny for years, despite clear signs of financial impropriety. This suggests a systemic problem of political corruption, where powerful individuals are able to shield themselves from accountability.

3. Boys Town's dark side shatters illusions of innocence.

My personal involvement with the bewildering secrets of organized child trafficking in America began in 2002, while I was working up an article on another shadowy subject.

Challenging a cherished myth. The Franklin Scandal implicates Boys Town, a beloved American institution, in the abuse and exploitation of children. This revelation shatters the illusion of Boys Town as a safe haven for troubled youth, forcing us to confront the possibility of corruption even in seemingly virtuous organizations.

Vulnerability of institutionalized children. The scandal highlights the vulnerability of children in institutional settings, who may be particularly susceptible to abuse and exploitation due to their dependence on authority figures and their isolation from the outside world.

The Hupp allegations. Monsignor Hupp's accusations against his successor, Father Valentine Peter, and the Omaha archbishop suggest a culture of secrecy and cover-up within the Catholic Church, further complicating the Boys Town narrative.

4. Victims' stories unveil a pattern of exploitation and cover-up.

King hired me to take pictures of adults and children in compromising positions. The pictures showed who the adults were and who the kids were. I gathered that the purpose was blackmail, and it was political.

Echoes of trauma. The accounts of victims like Eulice Washington, Rusty Nelson, and Paul Bonacci reveal a disturbing pattern of exploitation, abuse, and manipulation. Their stories, though often fragmented and contradictory, share common themes and details that lend credence to their claims.

Blackmail and control. The use of blackmail as a tool to control victims and protect perpetrators is a recurring theme in the Franklin Scandal. This suggests that the abuse was not simply about sexual gratification but also about maintaining power and influence.

The power of silence. The victims' reluctance to come forward, often due to fear of retribution or disbelief, highlights the challenges of exposing such crimes. The silence surrounding the abuse allowed it to persist for years, shielded by a wall of secrecy and intimidation.

5. Law enforcement's failures raise questions of complicity.

The individual further advised me of circumstances which indicated that the investigation into the activity of the Finders had become a CIA internal matter.

A pattern of inaction. The Franklin Scandal is marked by a series of failures on the part of law enforcement to adequately investigate allegations of child abuse and exploitation. This inaction raises questions about whether these failures were due to incompetence, negligence, or deliberate complicity.

FBI intervention. The alleged involvement of the FBI in quashing investigations into the Finders and the Franklin Credit Union suggests a potential cover-up at the highest levels of government. This raises concerns about the integrity of law enforcement and its ability to hold powerful individuals accountable.

The Rogers "suicide". The suspicious circumstances surrounding Charlie Rogers' death, including his ties to Larry King and the FBI, further fuel suspicions of a cover-up. The refusal to release Rogers' autopsy report adds to the mystery and raises questions about whether law enforcement was truly committed to investigating his death.

6. The Douglas County grand jury's report obscures more than it reveals.

The individual further advised me of circumstances which indicated that the investigation into the activity of the Finders had become a CIA internal matter.

A whitewash. The Douglas County grand jury's report, which dismissed the allegations of child abuse as a "carefully crafted hoax," is widely seen as a whitewash designed to protect the powerful. The report's reliance on questionable evidence and its vilification of victims and investigators raise serious concerns about its objectivity and fairness.

Targeting the victims. The grand jury's decision to indict Alisha Owen for perjury, while failing to hold any of the alleged perpetrators accountable, is seen as a further injustice. This suggests that the grand jury was more interested in silencing victims than in uncovering the truth.

A flawed process. The grand jury's reliance on a special prosecutor with a history of covering up government misconduct, as well as its exclusion of key evidence and witnesses, further undermines its credibility. The report is seen by many as a deliberate attempt to obscure the truth and protect the powerful.

7. Washington, D.C., connections hint at a larger conspiracy.

I know some of the people I admire aren’t very popular. Ed Meese. The late Bill Casey of the CIA. And I love former Chief Justice Burger. Those are the people I really like to talk to. Bill Casey … I thought so very highly of him.

Beyond Nebraska. The Franklin Scandal's connections to Washington, D.C., suggest that the abuse and exploitation may have extended far beyond the borders of Nebraska. The involvement of powerful figures in politics and intelligence raises the possibility of a larger conspiracy with national implications.

Blackmail and influence. The alleged use of blackmail to control politicians and other influential figures is a particularly disturbing aspect of the scandal. This suggests that the abuse was not simply about sexual gratification but also about maintaining power and influence at the highest levels of government.

The Finders connection. The links between the Franklin Scandal and the Finders, a cult investigated for child abuse and possible ties to the CIA, further complicate the story and raise questions about the government's role in protecting or enabling such groups.

8. Gary Caradori's investigation faced relentless opposition and a tragic end.

I initially embarked on my dark odyssey skeptical and bold, and it left me utterly anguished.

A lone wolf. Gary Caradori's investigation into the Franklin Scandal was marked by relentless opposition from powerful forces. Despite facing threats, intimidation, and smear campaigns, he persevered in his quest for the truth, driven by a deep sense of justice and compassion for the victims.

Sabotage from within. Caradori's efforts were undermined by leaks, misinformation, and the defection of key witnesses. This suggests that powerful individuals were actively working to sabotage his investigation and protect themselves from exposure.

A suspicious death. Caradori's death in a plane crash, just as he was on the verge of uncovering new evidence, raises serious questions about foul play. The circumstances surrounding the crash, including the scattering of debris over a wide area and the lack of a Mayday call, fuel suspicions of sabotage.

9. Alisha Owen's persecution highlights the system's flaws.

The children, and our society as a whole, have been betrayed.

A victim turned defendant. Alisha Owen's story is a tragic example of how the justice system can fail victims of abuse. Despite her own history of exploitation, she was targeted and persecuted for speaking out, while her alleged abusers were protected and shielded from accountability.

A stacked deck. Owen's trial was marked by a series of irregularities, including biased rulings, the admission of questionable evidence, and the dissemination of damaging information to the media. This suggests that the trial was not a fair and impartial search for the truth but rather a deliberate attempt to silence Owen and discredit her claims.

A chilling message. Owen's conviction sends a chilling message to other victims of abuse, warning them of the potential consequences of speaking out against powerful individuals. This further perpetuates the cycle of silence and allows the abuse to continue unchecked.

10. The media's role in shaping the narrative.

What can we the people do when our institutions are so debased that terrible child abuse is covered up using some of our most vaunted governmental agencies, and our “free press” actively misleads us, participating in a venal bamboozlement of our body politic?

The power of the press. The media played a crucial role in shaping public perception of the Franklin Scandal. While some outlets, like the Washington Times, pursued the story aggressively, others, like the Omaha World-Herald, actively worked to discredit the victims and protect the powerful.

A biased narrative. The World-Herald's coverage of the scandal was often slanted and dismissive, downplaying the allegations of child abuse and focusing instead on the supposed "hoax" perpetrated by the victims. This biased narrative helped to create a climate of disbelief and skepticism that made it difficult for the truth to emerge.

The silencing of dissent. The media's attacks on Gary Caradori and the Franklin Committee served to silence dissent and discourage others from questioning the official narrative. This further contributed to the cover-up and allowed the abuse to continue unchecked.

Last updated: March 15, 2025