The Meltdown
@themeltdown.bsky.social
Shining a light on abuse in U.S. Olympic sport.
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The Meltdown
@themeltdown.bsky.social
· Feb 27
ABUSE: Florida judge’s order says U.S. Center for SafeSport committed “fraud, collusion, pretense, and similar wrongdoing” in 2022 case - The Sports Examiner
ABUSE: Florida judge’s order says U.S. Center for SafeSport committed “fraud, collusion, pretense, and similar wrongdoing” in 2022 case - The Sports Examiner - Your all-in-one coverage of Olympic-spor...
www.thesportsexaminer.com
SafeSport found to have "perpetrated fraud" and "acted in bad faith, intentionally, and with malice" by Florida court.
Finally, the truth about SafeSport is starting to reveal itself.
www.thesportsexaminer.com/abuse-florid...
Finally, the truth about SafeSport is starting to reveal itself.
www.thesportsexaminer.com/abuse-florid...
Until SafeSport announces they are going to stop claiming jurisdiction over thousands of cases, sitting on them for months, and then closing them with no explanation, effectively protecting sexual predator, none of these other changes matter.
www.espn.com/olympics/sto...
www.espn.com/olympics/sto...
SafeSport aims for transparency on case length
The U.S. Center for SafeSport will explain to people involved in abuse investigations about the potential for the "long duration" of cases as part of reforms designed to improve communication about wh...
www.espn.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Until SafeSport announces they are going to stop claiming jurisdiction over thousands of cases, sitting on them for months, and then closing them with no explanation, effectively protecting sexual predator, none of these other changes matter.
www.espn.com/olympics/sto...
www.espn.com/olympics/sto...
Reposted by The Meltdown
"When you make a report to SafeSport, you immediately have a target on your back." 100% accurate.
Whatever replaces the current SafeSport playbook needs to address the protection of those who are brave enough to file a complaint against a predator in sport.
horsenetwork.com/2025/03/i-dr...
Whatever replaces the current SafeSport playbook needs to address the protection of those who are brave enough to file a complaint against a predator in sport.
horsenetwork.com/2025/03/i-dr...
I Dropped my SafeSport Case Last Year, Here’s Why I Reopened It
Trigger warning: this story discusses themes of sexual misconduct and intimidation in the workplace that may be triggering for some individuals. In 2023, I was part of a U.S. Center for SafeSport inve...
horsenetwork.com
March 18, 2025 at 2:55 AM
"When you make a report to SafeSport, you immediately have a target on your back." 100% accurate.
Whatever replaces the current SafeSport playbook needs to address the protection of those who are brave enough to file a complaint against a predator in sport.
horsenetwork.com/2025/03/i-dr...
Whatever replaces the current SafeSport playbook needs to address the protection of those who are brave enough to file a complaint against a predator in sport.
horsenetwork.com/2025/03/i-dr...
Reposted by The Meltdown
SafeSport found actual violations in just 11.7% of cases. And let's not forget that this is almost exclusively a list of criminals and people investigated by the NGB prior to SafeSport's existence. Hundreds of millions of dollars wasted for what?
www.thesportsexaminer.com/safesport-an...
www.thesportsexaminer.com/safesport-an...
SAFESPORT: Annual report for 2024 shows Center for SafeSport made an actual violations decision on just 11.7% of all cases, all-time - The Sports Examiner
SAFESPORT: Annual report for 2024 shows Center for SafeSport made an actual violations decision on just 11.7% of all cases, all-time - The Sports Examiner - Your all-in-one coverage of Olympic-sports ...
www.thesportsexaminer.com
July 3, 2025 at 7:20 PM
SafeSport found actual violations in just 11.7% of cases. And let's not forget that this is almost exclusively a list of criminals and people investigated by the NGB prior to SafeSport's existence. Hundreds of millions of dollars wasted for what?
www.thesportsexaminer.com/safesport-an...
www.thesportsexaminer.com/safesport-an...
Reposted by The Meltdown
"If SafeSport cannot move faster, cannot operate transparently, cannot honor its mandate, then it must be dismantled and replaced with something that can."
🧸⚖️ The story of Sean Gardner is not just one man’s depravity. It is the story of an institution that has proven itself incapable of protecting children even after being gutted by scandal once before. USA Gymnastics and the system built to reform it—SafeSport—have… open.substack.com/pub/brentmol...
When Silence Becomes Complicity: The Rot Inside U.S. Gymnastics and SafeSport’s Failure
🧸⚖️ The story of Sean Gardner is not just one man’s depravity.
open.substack.com
September 23, 2025 at 9:56 PM
"If SafeSport cannot move faster, cannot operate transparently, cannot honor its mandate, then it must be dismantled and replaced with something that can."
"If SafeSport cannot move faster, cannot operate transparently, cannot honor its mandate, then it must be dismantled and replaced with something that can."
🧸⚖️ The story of Sean Gardner is not just one man’s depravity. It is the story of an institution that has proven itself incapable of protecting children even after being gutted by scandal once before. USA Gymnastics and the system built to reform it—SafeSport—have… open.substack.com/pub/brentmol...
When Silence Becomes Complicity: The Rot Inside U.S. Gymnastics and SafeSport’s Failure
🧸⚖️ The story of Sean Gardner is not just one man’s depravity.
open.substack.com
September 23, 2025 at 9:56 PM
"If SafeSport cannot move faster, cannot operate transparently, cannot honor its mandate, then it must be dismantled and replaced with something that can."
Reposted by The Meltdown
This is how it's done. SafeSport claims jurisdiction over cases, closes the vast majority of them, and waits for the court decision before they make their own ruling. The goal is as little liability as possible.
“Last week, more than three years after being suspended from coaching, the FBI arrested Gardner, 38, on a federal child pornography charge. But his disciplinary case has not been resolved by SafeSport, which handles sex-abuse cases in Olympic sports.” www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
Ex-coach at renowned U.S. gymnastics academy arrested years after allegations
Three years after a coaching suspension, the FBI arrested Sean Gardner, 38, on a federal child pornography charge. But his disciplinary case has not been resolved by SafeSport.
www.nbcnews.com
August 20, 2025 at 2:42 AM
This is how it's done. SafeSport claims jurisdiction over cases, closes the vast majority of them, and waits for the court decision before they make their own ruling. The goal is as little liability as possible.
This is how it's done. SafeSport claims jurisdiction over cases, closes the vast majority of them, and waits for the court decision before they make their own ruling. The goal is as little liability as possible.
“Last week, more than three years after being suspended from coaching, the FBI arrested Gardner, 38, on a federal child pornography charge. But his disciplinary case has not been resolved by SafeSport, which handles sex-abuse cases in Olympic sports.” www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
Ex-coach at renowned U.S. gymnastics academy arrested years after allegations
Three years after a coaching suspension, the FBI arrested Sean Gardner, 38, on a federal child pornography charge. But his disciplinary case has not been resolved by SafeSport.
www.nbcnews.com
August 20, 2025 at 2:42 AM
This is how it's done. SafeSport claims jurisdiction over cases, closes the vast majority of them, and waits for the court decision before they make their own ruling. The goal is as little liability as possible.
Reposted by The Meltdown
Things have to go pretty far before SafeSport will address abuse. Their database is essentially a list of convicted criminals with a smattering of individuals they actually investigated themselves - very very few. Most cases are closed with no investigation whatsoever.
Wow. Does anyone have any idea how far things have to get for "SafeSport" to actually do their advertised job? This is crazy.
Rory Dames has been suspended by SafeSport, subject to appeal.
Dames had perviously sought an injunction against SafeSport to halt the investigation. That case was dismissed back in May.
Dames had perviously sought an injunction against SafeSport to halt the investigation. That case was dismissed back in May.
August 1, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Things have to go pretty far before SafeSport will address abuse. Their database is essentially a list of convicted criminals with a smattering of individuals they actually investigated themselves - very very few. Most cases are closed with no investigation whatsoever.
Things have to go pretty far before SafeSport will address abuse. Their database is essentially a list of convicted criminals with a smattering of individuals they actually investigated themselves - very very few. Most cases are closed with no investigation whatsoever.
Wow. Does anyone have any idea how far things have to get for "SafeSport" to actually do their advertised job? This is crazy.
Rory Dames has been suspended by SafeSport, subject to appeal.
Dames had perviously sought an injunction against SafeSport to halt the investigation. That case was dismissed back in May.
Dames had perviously sought an injunction against SafeSport to halt the investigation. That case was dismissed back in May.
August 1, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Things have to go pretty far before SafeSport will address abuse. Their database is essentially a list of convicted criminals with a smattering of individuals they actually investigated themselves - very very few. Most cases are closed with no investigation whatsoever.
Reposted by The Meltdown
The center [SafeSport] called the order “a stunt designed to interfere in the Center's ability to hold individuals accountable for sexual misconduct.”
SafeSport itself is the biggest interference between sexual misconduct and accountability in sport.
www.bigrapidsnews.com/sports/artic...
SafeSport itself is the biggest interference between sexual misconduct and accountability in sport.
www.bigrapidsnews.com/sports/artic...
In harsh ruling, judge rips SafeSport Center for 'perpetrating fraud' and withholding evidence
A Florida judge excoriated the U.S. Center for SafeSport for perpetrating fraud against...
www.bigrapidsnews.com
February 27, 2025 at 10:10 PM
The center [SafeSport] called the order “a stunt designed to interfere in the Center's ability to hold individuals accountable for sexual misconduct.”
SafeSport itself is the biggest interference between sexual misconduct and accountability in sport.
www.bigrapidsnews.com/sports/artic...
SafeSport itself is the biggest interference between sexual misconduct and accountability in sport.
www.bigrapidsnews.com/sports/artic...
Reposted by The Meltdown
After U.S. Center for SafeSport learned of allegations against an investigator for theft and harassment, it paid his way to agency headquarters for an all-staff training session that included after-hours socials where the center provided vouchers for drinks. SMH.
www.denver7.com/news/nationa...
www.denver7.com/news/nationa...
SafeSport paid investigator's way to training, socials despite knowing he had legal problems
Less than a week after the U.S. Center for SafeSport learned of allegations against an investigator for theft and harassment, it paid his way to agency headquarters for an all-staff training session.
www.denver7.com
July 4, 2025 at 5:15 PM
After U.S. Center for SafeSport learned of allegations against an investigator for theft and harassment, it paid his way to agency headquarters for an all-staff training session that included after-hours socials where the center provided vouchers for drinks. SMH.
www.denver7.com/news/nationa...
www.denver7.com/news/nationa...
Reposted by The Meltdown
Recategorizing cases that you closed (which account for almost all of them) doesn't make these cases any more resolved. Just more PR from SafeSport, we can expect nothing better.
todayheadline.co/safesport-re...
todayheadline.co/safesport-re...
SafeSport report cites progress in changes designed to curb complaints todayheadline
Jun 30, 2025, 05:41 PM ETDENVER -- The U.S. Center for SafeSport's annual report updates progress on changes it has
todayheadline.co
July 4, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Recategorizing cases that you closed (which account for almost all of them) doesn't make these cases any more resolved. Just more PR from SafeSport, we can expect nothing better.
todayheadline.co/safesport-re...
todayheadline.co/safesport-re...
After U.S. Center for SafeSport learned of allegations against an investigator for theft and harassment, it paid his way to agency headquarters for an all-staff training session that included after-hours socials where the center provided vouchers for drinks. SMH.
www.denver7.com/news/nationa...
www.denver7.com/news/nationa...
SafeSport paid investigator's way to training, socials despite knowing he had legal problems
Less than a week after the U.S. Center for SafeSport learned of allegations against an investigator for theft and harassment, it paid his way to agency headquarters for an all-staff training session.
www.denver7.com
July 4, 2025 at 5:15 PM
After U.S. Center for SafeSport learned of allegations against an investigator for theft and harassment, it paid his way to agency headquarters for an all-staff training session that included after-hours socials where the center provided vouchers for drinks. SMH.
www.denver7.com/news/nationa...
www.denver7.com/news/nationa...
Recategorizing cases that you closed (which account for almost all of them) doesn't make these cases any more resolved. Just more PR from SafeSport, we can expect nothing better.
todayheadline.co/safesport-re...
todayheadline.co/safesport-re...
SafeSport report cites progress in changes designed to curb complaints todayheadline
Jun 30, 2025, 05:41 PM ETDENVER -- The U.S. Center for SafeSport's annual report updates progress on changes it has
todayheadline.co
July 4, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Recategorizing cases that you closed (which account for almost all of them) doesn't make these cases any more resolved. Just more PR from SafeSport, we can expect nothing better.
todayheadline.co/safesport-re...
todayheadline.co/safesport-re...
Reposted by The Meltdown
SafeSport paid investigator's way to training, socials despite knowing he had legal problems
Read more: https://www.denver7.com/news/national-news/safesport-paid-investigators-way-to-training-socials-despite-knowing-he-had-legal-problems
Read more: https://www.denver7.com/news/national-news/safesport-paid-investigators-way-to-training-socials-despite-knowing-he-had-legal-problems
July 4, 2025 at 5:20 AM
SafeSport paid investigator's way to training, socials despite knowing he had legal problems
Read more: https://www.denver7.com/news/national-news/safesport-paid-investigators-way-to-training-socials-despite-knowing-he-had-legal-problems
Read more: https://www.denver7.com/news/national-news/safesport-paid-investigators-way-to-training-socials-despite-knowing-he-had-legal-problems
Reposted by The Meltdown
SafeSport facing scrutiny over treatment of fired investigator todayheadline
DENVER -- Less than a week after the U.S. Center for SafeSport learned an investigator had been arrested once for theft and again for harassment, it paid his way to agency headquarters for an all-staff training session…
DENVER -- Less than a week after the U.S. Center for SafeSport learned an investigator had been arrested once for theft and again for harassment, it paid his way to agency headquarters for an all-staff training session…
SafeSport facing scrutiny over treatment of fired investigator todayheadline
DENVER -- Less than a week after the U.S. Center for SafeSport learned an investigator had been arrested once for theft and again for harassment, it paid his way to agency headquarters for an all-staff training session that included after-hours socials where the center provided vouchers for drinks. The center would go on to fire the investigator, Jason Krasley, who would later also be arrested for sex crimes allegedly committed while he was at his previous job, a vice cop for the Allentown, Pennsylvania., police department.
todayheadline.co
July 3, 2025 at 9:49 PM
SafeSport facing scrutiny over treatment of fired investigator todayheadline
DENVER -- Less than a week after the U.S. Center for SafeSport learned an investigator had been arrested once for theft and again for harassment, it paid his way to agency headquarters for an all-staff training session…
DENVER -- Less than a week after the U.S. Center for SafeSport learned an investigator had been arrested once for theft and again for harassment, it paid his way to agency headquarters for an all-staff training session…
SafeSport found actual violations in just 11.7% of cases. And let's not forget that this is almost exclusively a list of criminals and people investigated by the NGB prior to SafeSport's existence. Hundreds of millions of dollars wasted for what?
www.thesportsexaminer.com/safesport-an...
www.thesportsexaminer.com/safesport-an...
SAFESPORT: Annual report for 2024 shows Center for SafeSport made an actual violations decision on just 11.7% of all cases, all-time - The Sports Examiner
SAFESPORT: Annual report for 2024 shows Center for SafeSport made an actual violations decision on just 11.7% of all cases, all-time - The Sports Examiner - Your all-in-one coverage of Olympic-sports ...
www.thesportsexaminer.com
July 3, 2025 at 7:20 PM
SafeSport found actual violations in just 11.7% of cases. And let's not forget that this is almost exclusively a list of criminals and people investigated by the NGB prior to SafeSport's existence. Hundreds of millions of dollars wasted for what?
www.thesportsexaminer.com/safesport-an...
www.thesportsexaminer.com/safesport-an...
Reposted by The Meltdown
"This outcome sends a clear message that sport culture is changing and accountability is moving the needle." - April Holmes, interim CEO SafeSport. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
www.espn.com/olympics/gym...
www.espn.com/olympics/gym...
Gymnastics coach Han banned for life for abuse
The gymnastics coach for a one-time Olympic alternate whose case dates to at least 2016 has received a lifetime ban from the U.S. Center for SafeSport.
www.espn.com
June 13, 2025 at 3:20 PM
"This outcome sends a clear message that sport culture is changing and accountability is moving the needle." - April Holmes, interim CEO SafeSport. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
www.espn.com/olympics/gym...
www.espn.com/olympics/gym...
"This outcome sends a clear message that sport culture is changing and accountability is moving the needle." - April Holmes, interim CEO SafeSport. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
www.espn.com/olympics/gym...
www.espn.com/olympics/gym...
Gymnastics coach Han banned for life for abuse
The gymnastics coach for a one-time Olympic alternate whose case dates to at least 2016 has received a lifetime ban from the U.S. Center for SafeSport.
www.espn.com
June 13, 2025 at 3:20 PM
"This outcome sends a clear message that sport culture is changing and accountability is moving the needle." - April Holmes, interim CEO SafeSport. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
www.espn.com/olympics/gym...
www.espn.com/olympics/gym...
Reposted by The Meltdown
Was doing some looking around in the SafeSport database and how the hell was Paul Riley not given a permanent ban? U.S. Soccer will never given him his licenses back so I guess it ultimately doesn't matter, but yet another failing from SafeSport.
June 8, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Was doing some looking around in the SafeSport database and how the hell was Paul Riley not given a permanent ban? U.S. Soccer will never given him his licenses back so I guess it ultimately doesn't matter, but yet another failing from SafeSport.
Reposted by The Meltdown
"...none of this is surprising to those that deal with the [SafeSport] Center."
Truer words...
www.espn.ph/olympics/sto...
Truer words...
www.espn.ph/olympics/sto...
SafeSport ripped by judge for withholding evidence
A Florida judge ripped the SafeSport Center for perpetrating fraud against the court and intentionally withholding key evidence in a case involving a teen water polo player.
www.espn.ph
February 28, 2025 at 3:01 AM
"...none of this is surprising to those that deal with the [SafeSport] Center."
Truer words...
www.espn.ph/olympics/sto...
Truer words...
www.espn.ph/olympics/sto...
Reposted by The Meltdown
"Senator opens inquiry into Denver-based SafeSport center hiring investigator charged with sex crimes."
Time to start the deep-dive of SafeSport. An inquiry of the recently fired rapist on staff is a good start. But let's not end there, there's so much more.
coloradosun.com/2025/02/10/d...
Time to start the deep-dive of SafeSport. An inquiry of the recently fired rapist on staff is a good start. But let's not end there, there's so much more.
coloradosun.com/2025/02/10/d...
Senator opens inquiry into Denver-based SafeSport center hiring investigator charged with sex crimes
Jason Krasley has been arrested multiple times over the past three months for crimes he allegedly committed between 2015 and 2024, including rape, sex trafficking, soliciting prostitution
coloradosun.com
February 10, 2025 at 8:58 PM
"Senator opens inquiry into Denver-based SafeSport center hiring investigator charged with sex crimes."
Time to start the deep-dive of SafeSport. An inquiry of the recently fired rapist on staff is a good start. But let's not end there, there's so much more.
coloradosun.com/2025/02/10/d...
Time to start the deep-dive of SafeSport. An inquiry of the recently fired rapist on staff is a good start. But let's not end there, there's so much more.
coloradosun.com/2025/02/10/d...
Reposted by The Meltdown
13-year-old boy murdered by his soccer coach. The coach had prior allegations of sexually assaulting a child. How did this happen? Did SafeSport and U.S. Soccer know about the allegations before he murdered a child?
www.latimes.com/california/s...
www.latimes.com/california/s...
Youth soccer coach charged with murder in death of 13-year-old boy
The youth soccer coach who was charged in a 13-year-old’s death has also been arrested on suspicion of a separate 2024 sexual assault.
www.latimes.com
April 15, 2025 at 6:44 PM
13-year-old boy murdered by his soccer coach. The coach had prior allegations of sexually assaulting a child. How did this happen? Did SafeSport and U.S. Soccer know about the allegations before he murdered a child?
www.latimes.com/california/s...
www.latimes.com/california/s...
13-year-old boy murdered by his soccer coach. The coach had prior allegations of sexually assaulting a child. How did this happen? Did SafeSport and U.S. Soccer know about the allegations before he murdered a child?
www.latimes.com/california/s...
www.latimes.com/california/s...
Youth soccer coach charged with murder in death of 13-year-old boy
The youth soccer coach who was charged in a 13-year-old’s death has also been arrested on suspicion of a separate 2024 sexual assault.
www.latimes.com
April 15, 2025 at 6:44 PM
13-year-old boy murdered by his soccer coach. The coach had prior allegations of sexually assaulting a child. How did this happen? Did SafeSport and U.S. Soccer know about the allegations before he murdered a child?
www.latimes.com/california/s...
www.latimes.com/california/s...
Reposted by The Meltdown
"Congress did not grant any government agency the power to regulate the Center for SafeSport; nor did Congress charge any agency with safeguarding America’s youth athletes." And look how that's going to turn out.
thefederalist.com/2025/04/10/u...
thefederalist.com/2025/04/10/u...
Center Shows Dangers Of Delegating Power To Private Entities
The U.S. Center for SafeSport was empowered to protect youth athletes. It sets and enforce its own rules without government review.
thefederalist.com
April 10, 2025 at 11:59 PM
"Congress did not grant any government agency the power to regulate the Center for SafeSport; nor did Congress charge any agency with safeguarding America’s youth athletes." And look how that's going to turn out.
thefederalist.com/2025/04/10/u...
thefederalist.com/2025/04/10/u...