Geddert "neglected those injuries that were reported to him by the victims and used coercion, intimidation, threats and physical force to get them to perform to the standard he expected," the attorney general's statement said.(Photo by= Reuters) |
[Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] A former US Olympics gymnastics coach has killed himself hours after he was charged with sexual assault and human trafficking, officials say. Michigan's attorney general confirmed the death of John Geddert, hours after outlining 24 charges against him.
BBC Sports Geddert was head of the women's gymnastics team in 2012 and worked closely with team doctor Larry Nassar. Nassar was sentenced to up to 300 years in jail in 2018 for abusing more than 250 girls from his position. Two of the counts involved the alleged sexual assault of a girl between the age of 13 and 16. The widespread abuse revelations have caused intense scrutiny of USA Gymnastics and criticism of how it safeguards athletes. In January 2020, USA Gymnastics announced a plan to pay a $215m (£164m) settlement to the group of athletes abused by Nassar.
Geddert, 63, had owned the training facility in Michigan where Nassar had served as the gym's doctor. A number of gymnasts accused him of abusive behavior when they testified during Nassar's trial. He’s expected to turn himself in on Thursday afternoon but did not appear, the attorney general's office said. "My office has been notified that the body of John Geddert was found late this afternoon after taking his own life," Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel later said in a statement.