Lawsuits filed under a new California sexual abuse laws allege top USA Swimming coaches abused teens for decades and covered it up.
The lawsuits have been filed in Alameda and Orange Counties related to alleged abuse dating back to the 1980s. Fifty-one year old Debra Denithorne-Grodensky trained at San Ramon Valley Aquatics as a girl.
"I was sexually abused in the early 1980s by my swim coach Andy King, whose sexual abuse began when I was 11 and it ended when I was 16," Grodensky said in a virtual news conference Wednesday.
King was sentenced to 40 years in prison in 2010.
Grodensky is one of six former Olympic hopeful swimmers represented by San Jose Law firm Corsiglia, McMahon & Allard claiming USA Swimming enabled coaches’ predatory behavior despite knowing they had a prior history of abusing young underaged girls.
Fifty-three year old Suzette Moran alleges abuse by her coach Mitch Ivey, who coached at the Concord Pleasant Hill Club. She said he got her pregnant at the age of 17.
"He told me to have an abortion months before the 1984 Olympic trials, killing my dreams of competing in the Los Angeles Olympic games," Moran said. "USA swimming enabled Mitch Ivey to abuse me and as a result I’ve suffered from years of depression, low self-esteem and panic attacks."
These suits are among the first major filings under a law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom that took effect this year creating a three-year window to file past claims that had expired under the statute of limitations.
USA swimming has issued a statement stating that the named offenders have long been suspended and ineligible for USA Swimming membership and that they support survivors of sexual abuse.
Tracy Palmero, who is now 46-years-old, filed a lawsuit in downstate Orange County.
She, along with other survivors, believe USA Swimming needs to clean house.
"Most of this about making change for the current athletes," Palermo said. "I don’t want anyone to have to go through what us three as well as countless, countless others have gone through."
The former swimmers are also advocating for sexual abuse training in USA Swimming for coaches, officials, athletes, volunteers and parents. More lawsuits related to USA Swimming are expected to be filed before the three-year window closes.
According to USA Swimming's website, the organization recently updated its Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy.
