Tuesday, October 8, 2019

WSJ: Did USA Swimming Spike Investigations?

Did USA Swimming spike investigations into sexual abuse claims against swim coaches?  It is a question asked by federal prosecutors.  The Wall Street Journal reported last week:

Federal prosecutors in New York are investigating USA Swimming, including allegations that the organization stifled athlete sexual-abuse claims, concealed its assets and improperly reaped hundreds of thousands of dollars in rebates from its in-house insurance company, people familiar with the matter said.

Over the past year, a federal grand jury in Manhattan has heard evidence in the investigation, which is being led by the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation...

The Manhattan investigation is one of several to arise from sexual-abuse scandals that have erupted across the U.S. Olympic system in the past three years...

The U.S. Justice Department and the Internal Revenue Service are pursuing a multipronged investigation into alleged sexual abuse, business misconduct and possible tax violations in Olympic sports organizations, The Wall Street Journal reported in September, citing people familiar with the matter.

USA Swimming is also under scrutiny in that investigation, which involves prosecutors from the Justice Department’s money-laundering and child-exploitation units, as well as the U.S. attorney’s office in Washington, D.C., said people familiar with both investigations.

Prosecutors have asked whether swimmers and other athletes felt pressured to perform sex acts on coaches in exchange for favorable spots in competition, in the U.S. and overseas.

USA Swimming is an Olympics juggernaut, hauling in dozens of medals and attracting millions in sponsorships. The Manhattan investigation is focused on two separate alleged business practices within the Colorado-based nonprofit organization, which recorded net assets of $36.3 million at the end of 2017, the latest period for which tax filings are available.

Witnesses have described to federal investigators an extrajudicial system within USA Swimming that for years stifled the reporting of abuse allegations, while protecting the organization’s bottom line and reputation, people familiar with the investigation said.

Here’s how the system worked, according to civil-court filings, disciplinary records and people familiar with the investigation: Accusers were required to submit formal complaints—including the victim’s name—to the organization, after which a USA Swimming executive would determine whether there was sufficient evidence to consider official disciplinary action. The organization would hire an outside investigator to conduct interviews, according to the people and records. (KF note: "Here's how the system worked", Really? This is the Wall Street Journal, not the Clarion-Ledger.). 

The matter might be referred to USA Swimming’s National Board of Review, a body appointed by USA Swimming executives that determined disciplinary actions against coaches.

Before the board held a hearing, these people said, a lawyer would reach out to the accuser to discuss the allegations. The lawyer was held out as being impartial, but the lawyer in fact represented USA Swimming, and during the hearing might use knowledge of the accuser’s case against the person.

“The system is designed to stop you from wanting to report,” a person briefed on the investigation said.

The system is no longer in place: In response to the sexual-abuse scandals that emerged in 2016 and 2017, federal law now requires all allegations of child abuse to be immediately reported to law enforcement and, in the case of Olympic organizations, to the U.S. Center for SafeSport.

For USA Swimming, fewer reported assaults also meant fewer financial settlements and insurance claims. And here, people familiar with the investigation say, is where the organization’s handling of sexual-abuse allegations connects with possible financial wrongdoing.

In 1988, USA Swimming set up a so-called single-parent captive insurance company in Barbados. The company, the United States Sports Insurance Co., was fully owned by USA Swimming, and provided reinsurance for carriers that sold policies on behalf of USA Swimming to local swim clubs throughout the U.S. Its board was composed almost entirely of current and former USA Swimming executives, court filings show...

As USA Swimming sought to minimize its legal and financial liabilities, accusers and their lawyers have alleged, the organization’s own insurance company took pains to avoid paying claims. In the event of litigation, lawyers for accusers say, USA Swimming’s legal bills likely would exhaust the insurance policies.... Rest of article.



16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you for reporting this, KF.

Missed in this entire drama is the fact that less than a week before Mrs. Reis was arrested, USA Swimming removed her from the banned list. So either USA Swimming is completely inept at handling this sort of thing or the local judicial system is falsely accusing a mother of 4, which has caused great harm to this family.

If USA Swimming is removing sexual predators from its banned list in order to save money on insurance premiums, then they should be taken down like USA Gymnastics were for harboring a monster as team doctor.

Justice for Swimmers said...

Of all the national news stories to post why this one Mr. Fish?

Anonymous said...

SafeSport removed her from the list, not USA Swimming.

Anonymous said...

Going directly to the SafeSport site, here's the current info on Reis. Why this doesn't match USA Swimming, I do not know.
https://uscenterforsafesport.org/response-and-resolution/disciplinary-database/

SafeSport List said...

SafeSport DID NOT remove Reis from the list. Her name is still there with a status of "restricted."

Anonymous said...

So many commenters are in the shallow end of the pool. The real action is in the deep end. The facts are eluding you all. This went on for a year and the boy was no victim. They both had horns that had to be filed off.

Anonymous said...

Dear paid troll at 3:49PM: "So many posters"???? There were maybe five posts prior to yours. Whatever it is you think you were referring to (and honey, you're so vague, I have no idea what it might be), even if all five posters said whatever it was, that still wouldn't qualify as "so many".

Truly, hon, you should have waited until there were more posts, before pasting something about "many" other posters. Look up 'MANY'.

Anonymous said...

7:53 - Probably 'so many' referred to the total numbers on multiple blog-threads regarding this subject. There must be three or four threads on this subject. Just a guess. Reckon?

I went to the link posted above and looked around. Amazing, simply amazing how many people affiliated with swimming have been banned, most for sexual misconduct, some listed as criminal, seems to be hundreds.

Then there's this, from the link:


Savannah Reis

Brandon, MS

Swimming

Interim Measure - Restriction
Adjudicating Body U.S. Center for SafeSport
Decision Date 2019-09-26
Allegations of Misconduct Interim Restriction

Anonymous said...

7:53 Sounds like some horns may release that built up tension you have.

Anonymous said...

3:49, read what you wrote again. “The boy was no victim”. Children cannot give consent. What part of that don’t you understand?

Anonymous said...

" Children cannot give consent. What part of that don’t you understand?"

17 year old children? Like the ones that lied about their age, enlisted and got killed fighting in WWII?

Don't be so condescending about 17 year olds. Some are much more mature than you realize.

Anonymous said...

What a bunch of idiots. We're talking about the law. Consent has a definition and a 17 year old cannot give consent regardless of their level of maturity, horniness or patriotism. Time to move on from that issue.

Anonymous said...

It matters not what you think about maturity or what you believe the law should be regarding minors. Your opinion does not count in these situations. What part of that do you not understand?

You can also give your opinion of the speed limit or the right to throw beer bottles out your truck window...but do you think that will matter in court?

Anonymous said...

Age of consent in Mississippi is 16

Anonymous said...

Age of consent in Mississippi is 16...

Sorry, but not in the case of a person in a supervisory role such as a 'coach'. Read the law, dullard. "Coach" is specifically mentioned in the law. Go to the back of the class.

Anonymous said...

Justice for Swimmers said...Of all the national news stories to post why this one Mr. Fish?

Probably because this is not a 'national news blog'? It's rather a local news story. Try to keep up.


Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.