Response to USA TODAY Article
TO: Board Members, USSIC Directors & Staff
FYI – Below is the article that appears in today’s edition of USA Today. The article states that, “Mike Saltzstein, an international swimming referee who was a vice president at USA Swimming from 2000 to 2006, claims neither the code of conduct nor the background screening in place during those years was very effective, since action could be taken only if there were criminal convictions.” This is simply not true and there are clear examples to cite, the most recent being Don King, a high school teacher and swim coach who was acquitted in Lake Oswego, OR. USA Swimming went ahead with a NBOR and suspended him for life. As another example, there was also no criminal action against a USA Swimming employee and yet we went ahead and suspended this individual for life. Additionally, there are instances where victims have been unwilling to go to the police for a variety of reasons, but who have pursued action through USA Swimming. In one such case, we even hired an attorney for the victim to represent her through our process. This victim told us she would not participate in the process if we went to the police, but we worked with her to get her coach expelled despite this fact. Additionally, it is important for you to be aware that Mike Saltzstein is serving as a consultant for the legal team that is suing USA Swimming.
CW
