Ex-skater says deceased companion abused her
A former skating companion of deceased determine skater John Coughlin mentioned he sexually abused her for 2 years.
“I am sorry however john harm not less than 10 folks together with me,” Bridget Namiotka wrote on Fb in a sequence of posts. “He sexually abused me for two years. No one harmless hangs themself.”
Namiotka skated with Coughlin from 2004 via 2007, when she was between the ages of 14 and 17. Coughlin, who would go on to win a nationwide championship earlier than changing into a coach and common tv commentator for the game, was 5 years older than Namiotka.
California lawyer John Manly confirmed to USA In the present day that he represents Namiotka and two different girls who say Coughlin abused them. He mentioned the posts had been “undoubtedly” written by Namiotka.
Coughlin died by suicide in January shortly after the U.S. Heart for SafeSport suspended him amid allegations of sexual misconduct. SafeSport, the group tasked with adjudicating sexual misconduct claims inside Olympic sports activities, dropped its investigation of Coughlin after his dying. Leaders from U.S. Determine Skating and the Skilled Skaters Affiliation requested SafeSport a number of instances to reopen the case to offer some decision to the matter for all events concerned. A spokesman for SafeSport mentioned that request was declined as a result of it could not make a ruling with out the accused get together obtainable to defend himself. He additionally mentioned SafeSport’s cost is to guard athletes, and since Coughlin died, he now not posed a menace to others within the determine skating group.
Coughlin’s dying, which got here one week earlier than the U.S. Determine Skating Championships in Detroit in late January, sparked controversy and anger within the determine skating group. Buddies and colleagues of Coughlin mentioned the general public nature of the accusations, which had been posted in SafeSport’s on-line database after which shared by media shops, led to him taking his personal life. Others within the skating group mentioned reveals of assist for Coughlin in Detroit had been insulting and damaging for the ladies who say they had been abused by him.
As some commenters on her Fb web page attacked her for disparaging Coughlin, Namiotka fought again.
“Grooming occurs,” she mentioned. “It occurred to me and he harm a variety of women. Take into consideration the victims.”
Namiotka is the primary of these girls to publicly determine herself. She has not initiated any authorized motion presently.