(ATR) The board chairman of USA Gymnastics resigns along with the vice president and treasurer of the national governing body.
The resignations are the latest turn in a massive sex abuse scandal involving well in excess of 100 women who say they were assaulted by the U.S. team director.
Chairman Paul Parilla, Vice Chairman Jay Binder and Treasurer Bitsy Kelley tendered their resignations effective January 21.
The three are linked to the scandal revolving around former team doctor Larry Nassar. He has pleaded guilty to 10 counts of abuse against young gymnasts and other athletes under his care. During the past week more than 100 of his victims have made public statements in a Michigan court during the sentencing phase of his trial. He could be jailed from 40 to 120 years. Nassar, 54, is already serving 40 years for possession of child pornography.
The resignations of the USA Gymnastics officials come amid criticism that Parilla and other members of the NGB board did nothing about Nassar. Instances of abuse date from 1994 to 2015.
In the statements in open court last week, numerous victims called for accountability by USA Gymnastics as well as the U.S. Olympic Committee. Medalists Rachael Denhollander and Jamie Dantzscher specifically called for the three officials to resign during their testimony.
Parilla, Binderand Kelley have been associated with USA Gymnastics for decades. The officials are believed to have been involved in negotiations that have resulted in secret settlements with gymnasts abused by Nassar.
"It’s not that they just did nothing, they went even further and they protected, they protect sexual abusers and they know about it," Dantzscher declared last August at the U.S. championships. A bronze medalist in Sydney, Dantzscher initiated a civillawsuit against USA Gymnastics and Nassar last year that has attracted more than 120 other plaintiffs.
"USA Gymnastics thanks Paul Parilla, Jay Binder and Bitsy Kelley for their many years of service to this organization. We support their decisions to resign at this time. We believe this step will allow us to more effectively move forward in implementing change within our organization," says USA Gymanstics President and CEO Kerry Perry.
Perry herself was hired last year as a step towards resolving the crisis facing the NGB.
"As the board identifies its next chair and fills the vacant board positions, we remain focused on working every day to ensure that our culture, policies and actions reflect our commitment to those we serve," says Perry.
The USA Gymnastics board of directors will choose an interim chairperson until a permanent selection is named.The organization is based in Indianapolis.
Reported by Ed Hula.
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