In a shocking development surrounding the sexual abuse horrors of the Gymnastic’s world, John Geddert, former US Olympic’s gymnastic’s coach commits suicide Thursday, hours after he is charged with two dozen felony charges and just prior to his scheduled arraignment. Charges against him include lying to police, sexual assault, racketeering, and 20 counts of human trafficking by using "force, fraud, and coercion" against the young athletes for his financial benefit. Except for the charge of “lying to police”, which carries a 4 year sentence, the other felony charges were for maximum sentences ranging 15 years to life in prison. Now his accusers will not receive the justice they deserve. 

The human trafficking charges were added to address Geddert’s coaching practices, commonly employed in highly elite and competitive sports, where training of young athletes is intense and tough, but is increasingly seen as inappropriate and dangerous–or, in this case, potentially criminal. The goal—to stop coaches from abusing or continuing to abuse their athletes. 

The term “human trafficking” not only refers to sexual exploitation but to coerced labor of any kind. According to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel: “The victims suffered from eating disorders, including bulimia and anorexia, suicide attempts and self-harm, excessive physical conditioning, repeatedly being forced to perform even when injured, extreme emotional abuse and physical abuse, including sexual assault…Many of these victims still carry these scars from [Geddert’s] behavior to this day.”

Mr. Geddert owned and operated Twistars USA Gymnastic’s facility located in Dimondale, Michigan, near Lansing, for decades, where he trained Jordyn Wieber (2011 World Champion), and later became the head coach of the 2012 gold-medal-winning women's gymnastic squad led by the "Fierce Five" of Gabby Douglas, Jordyn Wieber, Aly Raisman, Kyla Ross and McKayla Maroney. Twistars is the same gym where disgraced doctor Larry Nassar molested dozens of gymnasts under the guise of “medical treatment,” including members of the Fierce Five. According to victim testimonies, Geddert and Nassar worked closely for years and Geddert not only knew about Nassar’s sexual abuse of the gymnasts, but enabled him. Later when questioned about his knowledge, he lied to authorities. Geddert was then suspended by USA Gymnastics and he immediately retired. 

Larry Nassar, an osteopathic physician, treated hundreds of young athletes, including at Michigan State University, the U.S. women’s national team, and the U.S. women’s Olympic team over several decades and was sentenced to 60 years in federal prison for possession of child pornography, and another 40-175 years in a Michigan state prison for 10 counts of sexual assault. In January 2018, more than 150 girls and women abused by Nassar gave formal victim impact statements against him in a Michigan court. Some spoke of Geddert’s harsh coaching practices. 

The fallout from Nassar’s crimes resulted in resignations of leadership at Michigan State, USA Gymnastics and the USOPC, and a $500 million settlement between Nassar’s victims and Michigan State. 

Geddert was one of five people charged with crimes relating to Nassar’s abuses, including former Michigan State president Lou Anna Simon, the school’s former medical school dean and gymnastic’s coach. Simon’s charges have since been dismissed.

What will you do today to be #beupstanding and help #changetheculture for an environment without #sexualharassment, #abuse and #racism? #TimesUp. Let’s #playnice. For more info on this topic and other related issues, check out  “Play Nice - Playground Rules for Respect in the Workplace,” and join us at  www.thesandboxseries.com.