"He was a monster," said Santa Clara County prosecutor Ray Mendoza. ", "I teach media law," McKenna continues, "I get it-the internet, the First Amendment, I wrote the book on wiretapping and electronic privacy-so it's unusual that I come out ever wanting to limit speech. Aside from his life on the InterWet, . There is not a current investigation involving any coach from NBAC. Viktoria Reichova, 19, a swimmer who clashed publicly with Szauder after being suspended, told one newspaper that he sometimes referred to the Slovak athletes as little pigs. The parent of another swimmer said that some athletes essentially ate nothing but nuts for days at a time, fearing being called fat during weigh-ins. More than 50 responded anonymously. Myriam Glez and Erika Leal-Ramirez of Australia performed at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Its all about them as usual. Canadian artistic swimmer Gabriella Brisson, center, said a coach suggested she move to Africa to lose weight. For USA Swimming not to investigate such a serious charge, especially since it involved a coach associated with this most famed club, is staggeringand made even more astounding considering that NBAC acted in such swift fashion. Meadowbrooks incident report to the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene first released in redacted form before I pursued a state public information act appeal was filed late and included questionable representations. After personally interviewing unimpeachable sources who corroborated the information Tim wrote, the decision was made to return the story to the web with absolutely no changes. Such remarks felt very inappropriate and yet were just normalized at practice, Spada said. Canada Artistic Swimming and Szauder have denied wrongdoing. ", Muchnick's lawyer, Laurie Babinski, puts a positive spin on the lawsuit's outcome, saying in an emailed statement, "We are glad to have reached a settlement that protects Mr. Muchnick's First Amendment rights to report on important matters of public concern involving USA Swimming and its most prominent local organization, the North Baltimore Aquatic Club. The report is attached to this email for your review. 24 April 2015, 10:00am. A former student ofa high-level coach with ties to the North Baltimore Aquatic Club recently came forward with sexual abuse allegations against that coach. WebMeadowbrook Aquatic Center, one of three facilities NBAC uses. Speaking publicly for the first time, the coach and whistleblower on Saturday described thepersonal toll of his decade-long fight to protect female athletes from trainer Scott Shaw, the resistance he encountered from university officials nearly every step of the way, and the relief he felt when the U.S. Department of Justice this week commended his tireless efforts and excoriated the university for largely ignoring them for so long. WebMD Swimming Approves 2022-2023 Meet Schedule. Like Ive repeatedly said for weeksthis scandal only will get worse. Here is the story as it appeared on WBAL. Marie Tuite, former San Jose State athletic director and THE fast swimming continued at Maryland States Friday night as NBAC took control of the meet with numerous top finishes. Please know that we take the safety of our swimmers very seriously, and through our Safe Sport program we thoroughly investigate issues and quickly and prudently take action. Wielgus says the local swim clubs, not the national organization, bear the responsibility to check the full backgrounds of swimming coaches they hire. The investigator conducts a thorough review to determine if the complaint has merit. Katie Spada, 28, of the United States said that she was sometimes called a dying whale by a former coach and, at 13, was told I had boobs like Marilyn Monroe and they were getting in the way.. In response to the news of Tuites new role, Hopkins told SFGATE in an emailed statement that hearing this news and reading SUUs comments only makes me more grateful for the competence and professionalism of our current leadership at SJSU. Michelle Smith McDonald, SJSUs senior director of media relations, told SFGATE that the school does not have a statement regarding Tuites new job. By these rules we believe that NBACs report was mandatory and it doesnt matter if this was 37 years or 37 minutes ago. Until recently, artistic swimmers superb athletes able to hold their breath for more than a minute while performing routines tended to keep quiet about abusive treatment from coaches. Finally, on April 22, he castigated NBAC for "the generally out-of-control bully behavior by a cast of privileged preppies, whose capstone was the unprosecuted sexual assault by two of them.". Anyone can read what you share. Ill put it right out there. | Developed by, Murray Stephens Flashback 1: Baltimore County Police Acknowledged Letter From USA Swimming About Alleged Incident at Michael Phelps Club, Murray Stephens Flashback 2: Police Searching For USA Swimmings 2010 Letter About Sex Abuse Allegation That Led to Departure of North Baltimore Aquatic Clubs Hall of Fame Coach, Murray Stephens Flashback 3: Public Documents on North Baltimore Aquatic Club Sex Abuse Allegations Dangle in the Unhelpful Ozone, In His First Column As Concussion Inc. Collaborator on Swimming Scandals, Tim Joyce Reviews the WBAL Fiasco and the Medias Endlessly Trivial Michael Phelps Coverage, In recent days, coverage of Michael Phelps has served up such gems as the all-important identity of his latest girlfriend and promotion of his stint of golf instruction on the NBC-owned Golf Channels program, Super Bowl Special: Reprints of My Trilogy of Damar Hamlin Commentaries at Salon Last Month, Bar Association Assigns Investigator to Misconduct Complaint Against University of California Senior Counsel Michael Robert Goldstein; Lied Repeatedly to Court in Public Records Act Case Over Documents in Ted Agu Football Death Cover-Up. King previously worked as a swim coach in the San Francisco Bay area and in Oak Harbor, WA, where he was regarded as an excellent coach for aspiring Olympic team swimmers. Hindson is one of the 36 coaches banned for life for sexual misconduct over the last 10 years by USA Swimming, the governing body for the sport up to and including the U.S. Olympic team. Education | NBAC acted perfectly. Hey big guy, do you know how those work? My version of it favors transparent and interactive relationships with readers and sources. 9, 2010 — -- In a sex abuse scandal that some victims compare to what happened in the Catholic Church, at least 36 swimming coaches have been banned for life by the According to USA Swimming, the organization only checks for criminal convictions and does not include background interviews or investigations with local police. An Instagram account, @mental_abuse_nac, was recently created for athletes to express their concerns. The club representative, John Cadigan, informed the alleged victim that the police would be contacting her and that USA Swimming would be called and an investigation would ensue from Colorado Springs. After I broke the story of past sexual impropriety, involving multiple victims at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club (NBAC), Irv proceeded to uncover other episodes of abuse and negligence at NBAC the countrys most famous swim club that will surely become even more disturbing as more details emerge. As for Muchnick's purported larger goal-exposing misdeeds among the swimming world's powerful-McKenna says, "more power to anybody who wants to work to uncover something that is really horrible, but this isn't. Some told of being pushed into uncomfortable stretching positions, like splits, until they cried. Which is why I decided to partner with Irv; as, combined, we will be able to shed light on this grossly underreported story and, hopefully, also foster change in the way the sport is run in the United States. These allegations resulted in the coach's resignation, the club taking unprecedented action, and USA Swimming seemingly taking steps to protect the coach. Food | This restaurant is one of the hardest reservations to get in HawaiiNews | Wealthy Bay Area town grapples with 'attack on whiteness' controversyLocal | How Red Rock became the only privately owned island in SF BayTahoe| 'Are we going to love it to death? King's lawyer, Jamie Harley, said some of the responsibility belongs to the swimmers' parents whose ambition for their children blinded them to the problem. Additionally, when the complaint involves abuse of a minor, USA Swimming reports that information to the appropriate law enforcement authorities. She is also a Bay Area native. All Rights Reserved. And year after year, he documented his emailed pleas to former Athletic Director Marie Tuite and others, asking them to do something about Shaw, to no avail. An investigation conducted by a human resources officer on campus cleared Shaw, saying that his pressure point therapy was legitimate a finding that led to the emotional poolside meeting. Her mother, who is from Moscow, coached her and their relationship remained strong. SAN JOSE San Jose State Swim Coach Sage Hopkins remembers the very worst day of his career. (PSYCH SHEET DROP), Southern Illinois Freshman Ruard van Renen Pops 44.89 100 Yard Back in MAC Time Trial, Swimming Transfers Were Down Last Season; Womens Transfer Portal Window Opens Thursday. Members of his team said that as much as Hopkins tried to hide the strain, they could see it. Meadowbrook Swim Club became a favorite spot for Baltimoreans to escape the summer heat. Web* Jill Chasson, chair of the USA Swimming National Board of Review, which hears sexual misconduct allegations, recently resigned after I reported that, as NBAC Olympic | Developed by, Super Bowl Special: Reprints of My Trilogy of Damar Hamlin Commentaries at Salon Last Month, Bar Association Assigns Investigator to Misconduct Complaint Against University of California Senior Counsel Michael Robert Goldstein; Lied Repeatedly to Court in Public Records Act Case Over Documents in Ted Agu Football Death Cover-Up. Year after year, Hopkins admonished his swimmers to avoid Shaw. What's clear from court documents in the case against Muchnick is that something happened between three young NBAC swimmers at Meadowbrook Aquatic Center in February 2012. * Multiple sources confirm that no lifeguard was in sight at an outdoor practice pool on the morning of October 28, 2012, when 14-year-old NBAC swimmer Louis Lowenthal drowned at Meadowbrook. Taflinger's parents later identified Brooke for the FBI as one of the girls who was taped naked in the locker and shower area. USA Swimming said they had no ability to investigate a former NBAC coach for allegations of sexual abuse, because the offense happened in 1975. IRS delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California hasn't followed: What should you do? An initial investigation conducted by SJSU, which began in December 2009 and concluded in May 2010, cleared Shaw of any wrongdoing and deemed his therapy method as a bona fide, per the university fact page. Every time I look at it, it just brings unpleasant memories, Zhang said. "That's really disturbing to me, not knowing where those videos are.". The gaslighting that went on, suggesting that the abused swimmers werent really abused, he said, was truly hard to watch.. He gathered his women athletes next to the pool and broke the news: The athletic trainer that the swimmers had accused of sexually abusing them during physical therapy sessions, he told them, had been cleared by the university. As I said in yesterdays post, Baltimores City Paper published a rather pointless, painting-by-numbers story on the Doe v. Muchnick lawsuit settlement. Spoons, scissors and other metal objects used as tapping devices for swimmers to hear underwater are sometimes thrown at athletes by upset coaches. ", NBAC's attorney, Frank Morgan, declined to comment for this article or about Muchnick's allegations of unaddressed problems at NBAC. Tim Joyce of WBAL in Baltimore has broken another big story on the front of sexual abuse in swimming, as he claims he has been in contact with a victim who claims to have been sexually abused while at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club, home to Michael Phelps and Bob Bowman. The Department of Justice said in its report that there are potentially many more. Shaw, who has declined to talk to the media and is under criminal investigation by the FBI, resigned in August 2020. Additionally, this same victim approached USA Swimming months prior but was told nothing could be done because she wished to remain anonymous (USA Swimming has apparently changed that policy and now accepts anonymous reporting). Fourteen different LSCs are represented in the Gold Medal level. Now that this cancer-like scandal has spread to the most important swim club in the country, will there be calls for the entire leadership of Colorado Springs to step down? More than a dozen had complained that Shaw, an athletic trainer on campus since 2008, massaged them under their bras and underwear without justification and made them feel uncomfortable. Will it finally trigger the kind of federal investigation that has long been warranted? Southern Utah University Athletic Director Doug Knuth told SFGATE that the department is aware of Tuites history at SJSU but is excited about her hire. The U.S. Department of Justice launched its own investigation in 2020 regarding Shaws alleged sexual misconduct and the universitys handling of it. If you are going to start using legal terms, at least have the brains to be able to follow a premise to its conclusion. In 2008, USA Swimming gave King a clean bill of health, saying his background screening had been approved. Yes, there are not statutes on limitations FROM WHEN THE ORGANIZATION WAS FOUNDED. Upon hearing one such complaint in October of 2011 of the once-celebrated coach engaging in sexually abusive activity, NBAC immediately relieved him of his duties and followed the correct protocol. Not true. To read all about the SafeSport program, click here, or read the full letter below). This is an ugly situation. * WBAL Radio last year disappeared its own series on sex abuse in swimming by my colleague Tim Joyce, after Joyce started zeroing in on allegations against Murray Stephens, founder of Michael Phelps and Bob Bowmans North Baltimore Aquatic Club. Its report found experiences of psychological abuse, bullying, neglect, sexual harassment, discrimination, and an overall culture of fear.. Joyces original report (which didnt name Stephens, though Concussion Inc. soon would) led to Stephens departure as the face of the club. Alison Williams, left, andMariya Koroleva at the womens duet synchronized swimming final in 2015 in Toronto. Just as in the cases Ive uncovered at much smaller clubs in the Midwest and Alaska, and at major swim center likes FAST in Fullerton, California, USA Swimming chose to ignore the charges. A subsequent search of Hindson's home turned up more locker room footage and a large selection of child pornography. FBI agents became aware of the pictures after a North Carolina woman bought the coach's computer on E-Bay and discovered a video clip of a young girl in a locker room appearing to be taped without her knowledge. "I think had they been minding the store had they been watching what's going on with their own children this opportunity never could have presented itself.". I am pleased to be joining Irv Muchnick in reporting and commentary on the multitudinous USA Swimming scandals. To reiterate, USA Swimming, after being notified of a serious allegation didnt act. 9, 2010 — -- In a sex abuse scandal that some victims compare to what happened in the Catholic Church, at least 36 swimming coaches have been banned for life by the USA Swimming organization over the last 10 years because of sexual misconduct. My version of it favors transparent and interactive relationships with readers and sources. It has come to our attention that a local AM radio station has been broadcasting unfounded accusations about USA Swimmings handling of a complaint to our Safe Sport team related to NBAC involving an alleged incident that occurred 37 years ago. Thomas Heilman will race the 50 free, 100 back, 100 breast, 200 breast and 400 IM at the Virginia LSC Senior Champs this weekend in Richmond. Investigative journalism is not peer-reviewed scientific literature. It is a contact sport. She retired last summer because she found the training atmosphere unbearable. Grimes has a best time of 15:44.89 which is #2 in the 15-16 age group and now sits at #5 all-time in the 17-18 age group. To complain is to risk losing funding and a spot on the team. Ted S. Warren/AP. But "ten months after this incident, Muchnick falsely, maliciously and repeatedly began to publish defamatory statements that Minor John Doe is a 'sexual predator,' a 'child sex abuser],' a 'social deviant' and a 'sexual assailant' who 'digitally penetrated' and was repeatedly 'jabbing fingers' in 'the anus' of another swimmer.". Last October, an independent organization devoted to safe sport, called ITP Sport, reviewed the accusations made by Canadian swimmers. Before being hired to coach Canadas national team in November 2018, Szauder coached Slovakias national artistic swimming team for five years. Thank you for your message. The coaches have molested, fondled and abused dozens of swimmers, according to court records and interviews conducted by ABC News for reports Friday on "World News with Diane Sawyer" and "20/20.". Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? It is appreciated that there are many points of view on what has happened and who should be or should have done various things.There is a need for explanation in some of the ways things should have been handled. My vote is YES because unless there is a criminal record or somebody sends a report to the LSC or USA Swimming, USA Swimming will never know. * Last year two students at the McDonogh School in Owings Mills were quietly expelled on computer theft charges. But not his departure he continues, as owner of the Meadowbrook Aquatic Center, to collect scores of thousands of dollars a month in NBAC pool rental fees. They did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the lawsuit. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. When the investigation corroborates the complaint, USA Swimming requests a National Board of Review Hearing against the individual. As to USAS, ugh. WebOn Thursday, the North Baltimore Aquatic Club swam their last practice at Meadowbrook Swim Club, ending a relationship that dates back to the mid-80s. Its a Fitting Capper to Wide Official Cover-Up in the Ted Agu Football Conditioning Death at Cal. A hundred is even more. SUU is aware of the situation at San Jose State and based on a thorough review, reference checks and standard hiring protocols, the university is confident in welcoming Marie to Thunderbird Athletics, he said in an emailed statement. Really? USA Swimming takes all complaints regarding violations of the Code of Conduct, and especially those involving alleged abuse, very seriously. Regardless, we believe strongly in our responsibility to provide responsible communication on this issue, so we developed the Q&A below to answer questions you may have about this situation. when he started training at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club at the Meadowbrook Aquatic and (The letter, addressed to parents and friends of NBAC, went into some detail about how complaints within the program are handled, as it was originally geared toward that audience, as compared to the audience that has been closely following the story through the news and would already be familiar with many of the concepts. USA Swimming states: Because USA Swimming (and therefore its Code of Conduct) was not in existence in 1975, the organization legally had no recourse in the matter. Into uncomfortable stretching positions, like splits, until they cried center one... Uncomfortable stretching positions, like splits, until they cried on WBAL inappropriate and yet were just normalized at,. 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