Keeping Track of Criminal Cases & SafeSport Suspensions in Skating

[Sylvia]

USFS' SkateSafe Handbook - revisions implemented on Jan. 1, 2025 (4 pages): https://www.usfigureskating.org/sit...teSafe Handbook Noteworthy Revisions_2025.pdf

U.S. Figure Skating's SkateSafe® resources page: https://www.usfigureskating.org/skatesafe

 

[Debbie S]

With everything going on in the world, this has kind of flown under the radar.

Former Safesport investigator arrested for sex crimes while working in Law Enforcement.

Fired US Center for SafeSport investigator arrested on new charges

An investigator fired from his job at the U.S. Center for SafeSport for allegedly stealing money seized at a drug bust has been arrested again.

apnews.com

This was posted upthread (#2278, 2 posts above yours) by overedge on Dec 30.

 

[bladesofgorey]

This was posted upthread (#2278, 2 posts above yours) by overedge on Dec 30.

No, different article. He hadn't been charged with rape and kidnapping then, just theft.

 

[bladesofgorey]

It's disturbing, but from the article, his arrest didn't happen until this year and he was hired by SafeSport in 2021. The key issue is whether he was officially the subject of an investigation at the time he was hired and whether he was required to disclose that as part of his background check. Background checks pick up convictions and pending court cases. In this case, since he hadn't yet been charged, it wouldn't have shown up. If the background check co called his former supervisor, they could ask about the circumstances of his departure, but if the guy officially "resigned", there's not much legally his supervisor could say.

From reading up on the pending whistleblower lawsuit he's been named in it sounds like pretty much the entire police force including his supervisors knew about not just the thefts but also the sexual abuse by multiple cops, including him, and covered it up and/or partook. So legalities or not I'm sure he had glowing references.

 

[Debbie S]

No, different article. He hadn't been charged with rape and kidnapping then, just theft.

Ah, didn't see that, thanks for pointing that out.

 

[purple skates]

I got an email notice from my club that Steven Pottenger has been banned, subject to appeal.

Centralized Disciplinary Database | U.S. Center for SafeSport

This public database lists adults in the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Movement whose sport participation is restricted based on SafeSport Code violation.

uscenterforsafesport.org

 

[canbelto]

Jeffrey Chen has been suspended.

 

[Cant Skate]

Matthew Power gets 6 years in prison.

Former Skating Coach Gets Six-Year Sentence For Sex Abuse of Teens

Disgraced figure skating coach Matthew Power has been sentenced to six years in prison for sexually assaulting...

vocm.com

 

[livetoskate]

Jeffrey Chen has been suspended.

I just read some rumors on reddit. So is he through with ice dancing?

 

[Lara111]

I just read some rumors on reddit. So is he through with ice dancing?

Just Wow.

 

[canbelto]

On the safesport website it says:

Jeffrey Chen

On February 18, 2025, the U.S. Center for SafeSport issued the following Sanction regarding Jeffrey Chen:

Sanction: Temporary Suspension. Beginning on February 18, 2025, Jeffrey Chen is prohibited from participating, in any capacity, in any event, program, activity, or competition authorized by, organized by, or under the auspices of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), the National Governing Bodies recognized by the USOPC, a Local Affiliated Organization as defined by the Code, or at a facility under the jurisdiction of the same.

Pursuant to U.S. Figure Skating Bylaw Article XXV, Section 2, U.S. Figure Skating hereby adopts the Sanction imposed by the Center temporarily suspending Jeffrey Chen effective February 18, 2025.

 

[Karen-W]

Just came across this Korean news report. No names given for either the Skater or Coach in question, nor even the name of a second Coach who is corroborating the Skater's accusations dating back to 2011. Pretty grim.

- YouTube

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The Korean skater (A) is accusing their coach (B) of hitting her on the shin with a blade repeatedly, and also of attempting to strangle her while at an off-season training camp with other Korean skaters held in Canada. The second coach (C) has stated they reported their suspicion of abuse at the time. Skater A filed a lawsuit against Coach B in December.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

Solene Mazingue and Olivia Oliver were guests on the Future of Figure Skating podcast and spoke about their experiences since coming forward with their sexual assault accusations.

Solène Mazingue & Olivia Oliver

# Episode Notes In this episode, I spoke with two ice dancers who have become strong advocates for survivors of sexual assault. Soléne Mazingue is a two-time Estonian national champion and three-time competitor at the World Championships. She made headlines for returning to competition after recove

futureoffigureskating.pinecast.co

 

[angi]

It's not that I thought FB/C feel/think differently, but for a new team, and one that is aiming to win an Olympic gold medal, I would have thought they would be more media smart about it. The fact that they are so open with their support for Nik shows once again how few consequences there are for supporting offenders. And this is happening at the same day when Solene gave a very damming interview about IAM. I'm honestly surprised no reporter or news outlet has picked up on the evidence that are piling up regarding how IAM handles sexual misconduct allegations.

Laurence Fournier Beaudry | Patiner pour exister

23 avril. Première journée chaude et ensoleillée de ce printemps capricieux. Pourtant, un nuage gris flotte au-dessus de la tête de Laurence Fournier Beaudry.

www.lapresse.ca

 

[Debbie S]

Wow. That article and those comments are something. And not in a good way. I guess the French fed doesn't care if their proclaimed ice dance saviors support abusers.

 

[PRlady]

Thanks for pointing this out in the other thread.

I don’t question that LBF sincerely believes her partner, and I guess Cizeron believes both of them. I wonder if they ever ask themselves if it were not in their romantic and professional interest to believe Nik, would they feel the same way.

The six-year suspension is based on very tangible evidence, if the matter from 13 years ago was proved to the investigators’ satisfaction. There are innocent accused men but I’m 99% sure Nik isn’t one of them.

 

[Former Lurve Goddess]

Thanks for pointing this out in the other thread.

I don’t question that LBF sincerely believes her partner, and I guess Cizeron believes both of them. I wonder if they ever ask themselves if it were not in their romantic and professional interest to believe Nik, would they feel the same way.

The six-year suspension is based on very tangible evidence, if the matter from 13 years ago was proved to the investigators’ satisfaction. There are innocent accused men but I’m 99% sure Nik isn’t one of them.

I don't understand why this team's people haven't told LFB that "no comment" or "at the moment I'm focusing on my skating, this new partnership and our Olympic dreams" should be the only types of things said to the media when it comes to questions about the investigation and the ban.

 

[BittyBug]

I've never known someone to receive a 6 year suspension for "false allegations that are not corroborated," but I suppose that love can be blinding.

 

[Colonel Green]

I've never known someone to receive a 6 year suspension for "false allegations that are not corroborated," but I suppose that love can be blinding.

Not that I believe this is the case here, but innocent people get convicted in court all the time, and that is notionally at least a higher evidentiary standard.

For Laurence, who obviously does not want to believe that the guy she is in love with and has invested a decade of her life into is a rapist, not terribly surprising that she’d grasp onto him being innocent.

 

[kwanfan1818]

When did the French Fed care about sexual abusers aside from a nano-second a few years ago? And then it was about the past.

 

[Vagabond]

I don't understand why this team's people haven't told LFB that "no comment" or "at the moment I'm focusing on my skating, this new partnership and our Olympic dreams" should be the only types of things said to the media when it comes to questions about the investigation and the ban.

I suspect that the reasons are: (1) they believe him too and (2) they are too wrapped up in their own little world to know better. It's a common story.

 

[Rukia]

nobody bother even asking me why i'm pretending they don't exist this season xoxo

 

[Smiley0884]

Wow...pretty tone deaf to give such a statement. It's one thing to personally support Nik, however misguided that may be, but to give interviews going on about "false allegations" is the height of classless. A simple "no comment" would suffice.

 

[Habs]

Early on in all of this, when the allegations first came out, I had a lot of empathy for Laurence. It (seemingly) ruined her career, her personal life, everything - and none of it was her doing.

However, she continues to double down and show that maybe my empathy was misplaced. How disappointing.

 

[Lanie]

It does not surprise me at all they are vehemently defending him to the point of saying it was all made up because of course she was lying, she wanted to ruin saintly Nik's life 'twas ever thus. It's so vile and tone-deaf. I get not wanting to believe your partner is capable of such violence but "false allegations" excuuuse me

I felt for her too at first but now - no sympathy.

 

[Firedancer]

Wow. So unbelievably tone deaf and disgusting

 

[Vagabond]

Laurence Fournier Beaudry | Patiner pour exister

23 avril. Première journée chaude et ensoleillée de ce printemps capricieux. Pourtant, un nuage gris flotte au-dessus de la tête de Laurence Fournier Beaudry.

www.lapresse.ca

Nerveux, il a attendu au deuxième verre de vin pour finalement leur suggérer l’idée de former un duo avec Fournier Beaudry."

"Nervous, he waited until the second cup of wine to finally suggest to them the idea of forming a couple with Fournier-Beaudry."

I suppose that neither one of them gave any thought to how creepy that sounds given what Nikolaj Soerensen did.

 

[withwings]

How on earth they could if they heartily believe what Sorensen says...?? IMO even Sorensen himself believes his own lies now....if lies are repeated and repeated, and repeated all the time, then the liar starts to believe in his own lies ( look on Trump!). Human psychology... is not white and black.

 

[Willin]

Where is IAM in all this? And even skaters like Chock/Bates that train with them and had FB/S at their wedding?

They do realize how bad this looks on their part, right?

 

[cholla]

When did the French Fed care about sexual abusers aside from a nano-second a few years ago? And then it was about the past.

Some weeks ago. The FFSG filed a complaint against someone and banned this person from ice rinks for 10 years. The complaint was dissmissed by public prosecution as the accused proved he was not guilty. But at least and for once, FFSG reacted fast. Unwisely but fast. We obviously can't have it all ?