Keeping Track of Criminal Cases & SafeSport Suspensions in Skating

[IHH0628]

Loved Morgan's message - especially her comment about looking around at the coaches. Also, I like that she included male singles skaters in her assessment. In my limited experience as a skating parent the rinks we were a part of and also visited revolved around the male skaters, if there were any.

 

[pat c]

delete

 

[Bunny Hop]

Also, in ballroom dance, both partners make adjustments to technique during training and even during a competition a good team will adjust to each other. If the gal is just supposed to follow the guy, they aren't going to score well. Both partners have to be aware of each other and work well together.

Speaking as someone who has done both ice dance and ballroom dance (albeit at a low level) can confirm. In ballroom there is indeed a lot of conversation about lead & follow in training with both dancers in a partnership making adjustments.

In ice dance there is still a follow because you need to synch with your partner so you look like you're skating together (even when doing different steps), and if you're in hold and aren't guided by where the leader is headed you're going to come a cropper, but the leader can't just go off and do whatever and expect their partner to match them - there's still give and take.

But there's a difference between following set patterns/choregraphy (ice dance) and ballroom where you don't necessarily know what step the leader is going to do next. It's a related skillset, but not quite the same.

 

[Sylvia]

Former Skate Canada coach guilty of 8 sexual offences against teen skaters; Matt Power remanded into custody following convictions (Nov. 27, 2024): https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/matt-power-guilty-verdict-1.7394390
Excerpts:

A former Skate Canada coach has been convicted of eight sexual offences against two teenage victims, both of whom were under his tutelage as figure skaters when the crimes occurred.
Matthew Power, 30, was found guilty of sexual assault, child luring, sexual interference and making pornography available to minors, as well as related charges, in Supreme Court in St. John's Wednesday morning.
He was acquitted of one other luring charge and another charge of making sexual material available to a minor.
Power's supporters sat silently, one of them hanging her head, as Justice Valerie Marshall handed down her verdict. She did not read from her written decision.
Power's attorney, Rosellen Sullivan, asked Marshall to keep her client out of custody until his next hearing, arguing he needed time to get his affairs in order before beginning his sentence.
Marshall declined and remanded Power into custody, citing the seriousness of his offences.

Power, who was a head figure skating coach at the time he sexually abused the two victims, committed his crimes between 2016 and 2020 in the Conception Bay South area. [...]
Sullivan fought to have several charges dismissed over the course of the trial, and submitted a Jordan application near the end, hoping to have the entire case tossed due to delays. Marshall did not accept either application.
Skate Canada refused an interview request, and said in a statement it "immediately suspended" its former coach as soon as the allegations against him surfaced in January 2021.
A police witness testified otherwise, however, saying a Skate Canada representative had called the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary in February 2020 to report an inappropriate relationship between Power and a skater. Power was not suspended until 11 months later.
In his testimony, Power said he had signed a code of conduct and received professional conduct training from Skate Canada, and said the organization strongly discouraged one-on-one interactions between coaches and underage skaters, but did not outright ban them.
Power will return to court in February for sentencing submissions.

ETA:

Matthew Power Coach (NL) has been on Skate Canada's Interim Suspension list since January 3, 2021 while awaiting the outcome of his criminal trial.

 

[Former Lurve Goddess]

The ISU has also suspended Ivan Desyatov.

 

[Sylvia]

ISU Statement – ISU Code of Ethics 2024 update and consequent Interim Suspensions (November 28, 2024): https://isu.org/news/isu-statement-...24-update-and-consequent-interim-suspensions/

After a review of the ISU Code of Ethics 2024, the ISU Council has decided to amend Article 7.6 on Reciprocity in order to allow an interim suspension imposed by another organization to be recognized and incorporated by decision of the ISU Council.
Subsequent to this decision, as regards the case of the Skater Ivan Desyatov (USA) who has been temporarily suspended for alleged sexual misconduct by U.S. Safe Sport on October 18, 2024 pending disciplinary decision by the competent authority, and the case of the Skater Nicolaj Soerensen (CAN) who has been suspended for sexual maltreatment for a minimum of six years by Canada’s Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner on October 4, 2024, while recognizing the presumption of innocence, considering the seriousness of the alleged offences the ISU Council has decided to expand the suspensions, considered as interim, to all ISU activities and Competitions sanctioned by the ISU. The Council also recommends that all ISU Members expand the suspensions to all activities and events under their control.
These decisions will stay in force until further notice.
The ISU treats reports of misconduct with the utmost seriousness and recognizes the profound impact such cases can have on those involved. To further strengthen our commitment to athlete safeguarding, we have taken several key steps. These include the appointment of an ISU Safeguarding Officer, the introduction of a comprehensive Athlete Safeguarding Policy and the enhancement of the ISU Code of Ethics.
Athlete safeguarding is a priority for the ISU and anyone with concerns related to safeguarding can contact [email protected] or via the ISU website Athlete Safeguarding page. All cases are handled confidentially.
The ISU remains dedicated to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all participants and actively safeguard athletes from abuse, harassment and exploitation and counts on the support of the skating community in upholding these principles. Skaters and participants’ safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

 

[LeafOnTheWind]

It's a starting point. I hope they realize that and continue putting more teeth into their policies.

 

[PRlady]

Nik was a star and Desyatov on the way up. I hope others note that anyone can be banned and fear authorities enough to stop unconscionable behavior.

 

[Yyzskater]

Step in the right direction. ISU, as the governing body in skating, cannot take a hands-off approach to athletes who compete in any of their events. Leaving it solely up to individual federations to handle their Safe Sport type issues leads to unfair treatment between athletes of different nations, solely depending on the passport the person holds rather than the issue at hand (victim or accused).

This goes not only for athletes, but anyone who partakes in any ISU activity, regardless of capacity (skater, coach, team leader, etc)

 

[coppertop1]

Definitely a step in the right direction. This isn't some that will be fixed overnight but good that they're being addressed

 

[kwanfan1818]

I think it's a step in the right direction, because it means the skater can't simply switch Feds, especially if they have a passport to the nation to which they are switching.

This does not alleviate unfair treatment, since it's up to the procedures of each nation: they are different per country that has an agency with a process, and many countries do not. This isn't like adhering to WADA standards, which is incorporated into the Olympic rules and different sports federation rules, and where there's a worldwide umbrella organization, even if the national -ADA's are able to make some of their own decisions in applying the global rules.

 

[Theatregirl1122]

Does this prevent them from coaching or just competing?

 

[Debbie S]

Does this prevent them from coaching or just competing?

I assume it's both. Suspension from all activities and events presumably means not allowed in any capacity. NGB suspensions apply to all activities.

 

[PRlady]

I wonder if one or both men were exploring possibilities of returning to their native countries to skate or coach and the ISU wanted to forestall that.

 

[Theatregirl1122]

I assume it's both. Suspension from all activities and events presumably means not allowed in any capacity. NGB suspensions apply to all activities.

That is my hope, but I was hoping someone knew for sure.

 

[Vagabond]

I question whether Skate Canada or USFS would grant a release to someone under suspension. A release would vitiate the punishment and any prospect of deterring other offenders.

 

[skatfan]

I wonder if one or both men were exploring possibilities of returning to their native countries to skate or coach and the ISU wanted to forestall that.

I totally think there must have been rumors.

 

[Karen-W]

I wonder if one or both men were exploring possibilities of returning to their native countries to skate or coach and the ISU wanted to forestall that.

I can't imagine Desyatov returning to Russia at any point unless he's deported - remember he's an orphan and prime military service age - that's part of why he came to the US and partnered with Flores in the first place. That doesn't mean that there aren't other countries who wouldn't be open to him representing them should the opportunity present itself - though again, as noted by others, would the USFS even give him a release until the SafeSport investigation has run its course and any suspension/ban period been served?

Soerensen is certainly a different case and it's certainly not impossible to imagine he & Laurence could have been exploring options for setting up an IAM branch in Denmark (similar to IAM-Ontario). Certainly not a skating hotbed, but it could be an attractive option for teams who would like the IAM affiliation without needing to relocate to North America.

 

[BrightSkates]

Sorenson for 6 years.. or both of them 6 year ban?

 

[MacMadame]

Sorenson for 6 years.. or both of them 6 year ban?

Sorenson for at least 6 years. Desyatov is under investigation and is only under an interim suspension pending that. Once the investigation is over, he'll either be exonerated or get a final punishment.

 

[skategal]

I wonder if one or both men were exploring possibilities of returning to their native countries to skate or coach and the ISU wanted to forestall that.

I was thinking other countries for sure, if not their native ones.

Some country organizations may not care about the offenses as other's would.

Possibly also looking at judging or technical caller/specialist roles which would now be out.

 

[Theatregirl1122]

I wonder if one or both men were exploring possibilities of returning to their native countries to skate or coach and the ISU wanted to forestall that.

Coaching could be likely. You don't need a release for that.

 

[overedge]

Sorenson for 6 years.. or both of them 6 year ban?

"Until further notice" according to the quote that @Sylvia posted. I assume that gives the ISU some flexibility in case Sorensen gets reinstated in Canada after six years, but as of now, there's no end date to the ban.

Also: about freakin' time the ISU woke up and did something like this. I feel badly for all the skaters that were abused before this while the ISU basically turned a blind eye.

 

[Cant Skate]

Former Skate Canada coach guilty of 8 sexual offences against teen skaters; Matt Power remanded into custody following convictions (Nov. 27, 2024): https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/matt-power-guilty-verdict-1.7394390
Excerpts:


ETA:

Matthew Power Coach (NL) has been on Skate Canada's Interim Suspension list since January 3, 2021 while awaiting the outcome of his criminal trial.

I'm glad there will be some justice for those girls. I knew Matthew when he was a young skater and it sickens me what he has become.

 

[jackson]

Does this prevent them from coaching or just competing?

The thing that is a little scary is male skaters are always in demand for shows regardless of status by safe sport.

 

[Sylvia]

The latest re. Haien Lee's situation is posted in the Korean news thread, starting here (post #931 & also posts #943 & 944): https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/threads/korean-skating-news-updates.104356/page-32#post-6685168

 

[Sylvia]

Update on Steven Pottenger who was issued a temporary suspension on July 12, 2024, by the U.S. Center for SafeSport:

Suspended Ann Arbor figure skating coach accused of sexual assault heads to trial (Dec. 10, 2024):

Suspended Ann Arbor figure skating coach accused of sexual assault heads to trial

He waived his examination, sending his case to trial.

www.mlive.com

Steven Lester Pottenger, 39, is to appear before Washtenaw County Trial Court Judge Arianne Slay Jan. 16 on two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct involving someone at least 13 and younger than 16, according to court records. Pottenger waived his right to a preliminary examination Nov. 26 during a hearing before 14B District Court Judge Erane Washington.

The alleged assault occurred in 2020, according to court records.
Fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct is a misdemeanor punishable by no more than 2 years imprisonment and a $500 fine.

Pottenger has denied the charges, according to his Southfield-based lawyer Deborah Schlusse.
“My client is completely innocent of the charges, and we look forward to our day in court to prove that,” Schlusse previously said.
Pottenger was given a personal recognizance bond and is not currently being held in the Washtenaw County Jail.

 

[overedge]

This is a very troubling story. SafeSport doesn't have enough resources for what it's supposed to be doing, but I can't imagine how this person's past work history was overlooked during the recruitment and hiring process. https://apnews.com/article/safesport-investigator-fired-drug-money-e2d7a88cadda5f9cc3ee9f090c5dc62b

 

[Debbie S]

This is a very troubling story. SafeSport doesn't have enough resources for what it's supposed to be doing, but I can't imagine how this person's past work history was overlooked during the recruitment and hiring process. https://apnews.com/article/safesport-investigator-fired-drug-money-e2d7a88cadda5f9cc3ee9f090c5dc62b

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.

The SafeSport vetting process probably needs to go beyond a standard background check (and based on my experience with these companies when being hired for jobs, most don't know their head from a hole in the wall) but they would need more money and human resources.

 

[Coco]

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