USA Gymnastics accused of failing to report sex abuse accusations

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NY) - USA Gymnastics officials failed to report allegations or ignored multiple warnings that some athletes were being sexually abused by their coaches, according to testimony stemming from a 2013 lawsuit and an extensive investigation by The Indianapolis Star.

Records reviewed by the newspaper showed USA Gymnastics had received complaints against more than 50 coaches. In at least four cases which The Star was able to independently verify, USA Gymnastics did not initiate reports to authorities.

After the warnings, those coaches allegedly abused at least 14 more people. Each of those coaches was eventually arrested.

USA Gymnastics develops the country’s Olympic squad. The Star published its report one day before the opening ceremony of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, scheduled for Friday night.