Ex-coaches accused of abuse (Boston Globe) Ten years ago, disturbing allegations about a popular New England coach began circulating in the small world of girls' gymnastics. Three adult women told the sport's national governing body that their former coach, Steve Infante, had sex with them when they were teenagers, and that an investigation would reveal inappropriate behavior by other coaches as well. Publish Date: Mon, 10 Dec 2007 08:27:38 GMT Read more...

[quote]But a nine-page affidavit filed in Danbury, Conn., by investigators last summer to obtain a warrant to search Infante's properties there portrays a pattern of inappropriate behavior played out over two decades. The affidavit says there are six women who allege sexual contact occurred, including one woman whom Infante allegedly sent to DiTullio by bus, and some former gymnasts are now questioning why USA Gymnastics did not do more in 1997 when it first learned about claims of misconduct. "I think they definitely dropped the ball," said Heather Menzie, a former junior state gymnastics champion in Massachusetts who was not targeted by either Infante or DiTullio, but had knowledge of the allegations and reported them to police last year. "They were protecting coaches rather than gymnasts."[/quote] Gymnastics clubs do that too apparently, put their profit margins first? http://www.gymchat.com/messageboards/viewtopic.php?t=9942 Steve Penny, USA Gymnastics: [quote]In an interview with the Globe Friday, USA Gymnastics president Steve Penny defended the way his organization's officials handled the 1997 complaints, filed by three women who claimed that Infante had sex with them when they were 18, 16, and 15 or 16 years old, respectively. Penny said the organization did not contact police because the organization could not press charges on its own and did not know if a crime had been committed. He noted that the alleged victims were now adults and that the complaints were years old. In regard to DiTullio, Penny said, no one came forward with anything other than "hearsay." And with only this to go on, Penny said, "it's my understanding that there was no investigation of Steve DiTullio at that time." He would not say if investigators even spoke with him. "At the time of that investigation, the primary issue was Steven Infante," said Penny, who did not become president of USA Gymnastics until 2005. "And I believe the organization acted responsibly in dealing with Steven Infante at that point in time." The ban, however, did little to keep Infante away from young gymnasts. From early 2006 and until early this year, he worked for DGS, a Connecticut equipment company, setting up and breaking down gymnastics equipment at competitions, said John Deary, the company co-founder. Deary declined to comment further.[/quote] [quote]On two occasions in recent years, USA Gymnastics officials learned that Infante attended competitions and took measures to address the problem. According to court documents, Infante continued to be part of a summer camp in Massachusetts that he and DiTullio ran. And parents of athletes - who were not aware that Infante had been banned - recently said the Connecticut coach remained a common sight around DiTullio's gymnasts. "Steve Infante used to show up at all the meets, even if he didn't have girls competing," said Katie Weigel, an Acton woman whose daughters trained with DiTullio from the mid-1990s until 2002. "And you would say, 'Why is he here?' And he would say, 'Because we're all one happy family. I'm here to support you.' "[/quote] The other side, DiTullio: [quote]"I have no idea where this stuff is coming from, I really don't," he said. "But someone made a complaint and, in doing so, I don't think they realize what they've done to destroy people's lives."[/quote] more at: http://www.boston.com/sports/other_sports/articles/2007/12/10/ex_coaches_accused_of_abuse