smking gun email rocks swimming

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The following article represents part of a rapidly developing story, a microcosm of the entire USA Swimming sex abuse scandal. The crux of this article is to demonstrate that even after their self-lauded attempts to rid the sport of problem coaches through their Safe Sport program, USA Swimming instead continues to take their path of diversion, delay and obfuscation. And even more egregious is the fact that the “investigations” they conduct are hardly comprehensive and appear little more than lip service paid to finding out the truth. USA Swimming’s handling of the ongoing Rick Curl situation, along with stories like the following prove that nothing has really changed all that much at USA Swimming.  I swore complete confidentiality to my numerous sources on this story and I choose, for now, to not identify the town’s name. Since this is a USA Swimming matter at this point and the coach does not currently face criminal charges, he is unnamed as well. This particular saga continues to get weirder and darker as I continue my investigation. There will be a lot more on this story soon. As usual I’ve heard nothing back from USA Swimming. It’s getting difficult to hear - the silence is deafening.

It’s happening again.

This time it is a small city along the majestic Mississippi River, a place where apparently everyone does seem to know all their neighbors, that is the site of USA Swimming’s latest attempt to keep quiet yet another incident of inappropriate behavior by an affiliated swimming coach.

It all began in the late summer/early fall of 2010 when USA Swimming received a photograph of the coach of this town’s club swim team. The picture caught him in an inappropriate pose with an underage female swimmer, around age 12. Susan Woessner, the director of USA Swimming’s Safe Sport, their initiative launched in 2010 to help prevent further incidents of abuse, did the right thing and contacted the coach in question. In her correspondence Ms. Woessner stated:

“USA Swimming has received a report alleging that your actions during a swim meet on October 3, 2010 violated USA Swimming’s Code of Conduct … Our new legislation passed at the USA Swimming House of Delegates on September 18 expressly prohibits rubdown or massage performed on an athlete by a coach member, even if the coach is a licensed massage therapist:

It is important for you to understand that in order for you to provide a positive experience and a safe environment for athletes, you should maintain professionalism and avoid any incidence of impropriety in your relationships with them.

This letter is to direct you to discontinue performing any rubdown or massage on any athlete immediately. If we receive any future report of you violating this or any other Code of Conduct policy, we will initiate a National Board of Review that may result in your suspension or expulsion from membership in USA Swimming.

The last sentence is highlighted for effect, as there is little doubt what Ms. Woessner is stating – if we hear about you again there will be a  Board of Review, plain and simple. This was obviously the entirely correct stance for USA Swimming to present. The email was cc’d to USA Swimming Executive Director Chuck Wielgus.

In the spring of 2011 a parent of a child who swam under this coach contacted Ms. Woessner and asked if there were any developments on the matter – the parent called because the coach had claimed that USA Swimming had “relaxed” their rules on certain behavior. Upon hearing the coach’s name mentioned, Ms. Woessner allegedly hesitated and then admitted that she was put off by the coach’s conversation with her as she felt he was trying to “see what he could get away with.” Obviously, this coach was on USA Swimming’s radar.

Since the spring of 2011, there have been four girls alleging inappropriate behavior by this coach and at least five allegations that have warranted investigations on some level. Additionally the coach in question was seen again having improper conduct with a swimmer on the deck that was similar to the action that triggered the initial complaint. During this time USA Swimming dispatched their main investigator on these matters, former FBI agent Paulette Brundage, to look into it.

Despite the many disturbing allegations from numerous girls, no action was taken.

And, according to all who I spoke with, Ms. Brundage has conducted her entire investigation over the phone, meaning that she didn’t speak in person to the coach who is alleged to have committed these acts or the young girls who made these accusations. How can an investigator, a former FBI agent, not speak face-to-face with witnesses and the alleged perpetrator? How is it possible to ascertain the truth when you can’t look into the eyes of those you question. In such a delicate investigation it is unheard of not to do this.

I spoke with Steven Latzer, a district attorney for Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. He told me that it is, “… outrageous.  Shoplifting cases are routinely investigated with greater detail.  There’s something very wrong here.” 

Clearly, referring to the Woessner correspondence above, the continued accusations against this coach more than merited a National Board of Review and likely should have triggered at least a temporary suspension or ban. But no action was taken.  Why?

Under increasing pressure, the coach resigned his head coaching position in early July and, at this point, is free to coach elsewhere. In fact, this coach is still conducting private lessons at the club. When I contacted the coach and asked if he was under investigation, he stated he usually doesn’t comment on USA Swimming matters. I followed up with an additional email that has not been answered.

It also must be noted that Ms. Brundage is also the lead investigator for USA Swimming looking into the tragic story of Sarah Burt, the Illinois girl who killed herself as the result of sexual abuse by her swim coach. As stated in my article from a week ago, the Burt family has yet to hear anything from Ms. Brundage or anyone else at USA Swimming on that investigation.

Said Lisa Burt, Sarah’s mother, “She (Brundage) didn’t meet with us.   From the people I talked to, it was more about Sarah’s character - which is ironic since she was fine until the abuse. And, when some of the people I had referred to her told me they still had not been contacted, I followed up with Susan (Woessner).  I waited months … there has been no sense of urgency on this.”

Emails to Ms. Woessner, Mr. Wielgus, outside counsel Mr. Richard Young, and Ms. Brundage were not answered.

These incidents have pitted former teammates against each other as well as parents. It has divided a community. There are some who, for whatever reason, refuse to believe any of the allegations against the coach – meaning that they choose not to believe the word of several young girls. Crises such as this are breeding grounds for denial and avoidance.

And I’m currently looking into talk that USA Swimming is trying to secretly negotiate agreements to make this matter go away, just as they’ve done numerous times in the past. If I receive any updates on this aspect of the case I will report it immediately.

Those who prey on children are brilliant groomers and they also know how to groom parents.

Indeed, a river runs alongside this proud town – but a USA Swimming club has cut through it. 

Wbal. Com