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.

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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.