Athletes for Equity in Sport continues to search for the truth between the information published by The Center for SafeSport and US Equestrian vs. the experiences of attorneys and athletes navigating the SafeSport process. To that end of searching for truth, AES has filed a FOIA ( Freedom Of Information Act) request with the FBI for records and training sessions as claimed by US Equestrian in its May magazine. AES continues to request data from The Center of SafeSport, however to date, there has not been a response in over 10 months (as they do not respond to FOIA requests). AES is seeking information on behalf of reporters/claimants who have shared their disappointment with the SafeSport process. Contact us.

Attached in this AES Newsletter 005 is the AES letter to the FBI and supporting US Equestrian material which AES would like documentation for. 

May 27, 2020

Special Agent in Charge- Michael Schneider
Federal Bureau of Investigations- Denver 
8000 East 36th Avenue
Denver, CO 80238

Dear Agent Schneider:

My name is Kelly K. Cormaci, RHU, MFSc.  I am the Vice President of Athletes for Equity in Sport Inc., a non-profit organization advocating on behalf of athletes, coaches, trainers and others impacted by the U.S. Center for SafeSport (the “Center”).  As stated on their website:

“The Center opened its doors in Denver, Colorado, in March 2017, and soon after became federally authorized under the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017 (which became Public Law No: 115-126 on February 14, 2018). Under this law, we develop resources and policies to safeguard athletes from bullying, harassment, hazing, physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and sexual misconduct. The law entrusts the Center as the exclusive authority to respond to reports of allegations of sexual abuse and sexual misconduct within the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee and their recognized National Governing Bodies (NGBs).” 

U.S. Center for SafeSport, in their marketing material provided to the public, has represented that all the investigators employed by SafeSport, “…receive training developed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on how to conduct forensic interviews, as well as other investigatory training.  Training is conducted annually to ensure investigators are well equipped and resourced to conduct thorough investigations”.

What we have found in our research to date is that there is no evidence supporting the claim that the FBI is conducting training of the SafeSport investigators.  Like most other entities, the policies and procedures attendant to training are made available to the public to verify the veracity of their statement, but SafeSport has not made this information transparent.  

I have a Masters in Forensic Behavioral Science and did an internship at the Miami Federal Bureau of Investigation in July of 2014.  I am familiar with the methods, models and testing utilized in interviewing victims, perpetrators and children as victims and witnesses.  The methods and models in use by the Center’s investigators as reported by those involved in the SafeSport process do not appear to conform to the FBI’s high standards.

I would like to utilize my right through the Freedom of Information Act, to request from the FBI the following information:   

  1. Any and all correspondence between U.S. Center for SafeSport or its representatives in any way related to the procurement of training of the Center’s investigators by the Center. 
  2. Any and all records, documents, correspondence, handwritten or typed notes or other information or data, in either written, typed or electronic form, related in any way to any investigative training you have provided to the U.S. Center for SafeSport investigators, past or present if any.

We have requested this disclosure from the U.S. Center for SafeSport via letter multiple times under FOIA and they have yet to provide us with a reply.  

I look forward to receiving this information at the address above.

Sincerely,

 Kelly

Kelly K. Cormaci, MFSc
Vice President, Athletes for Equity in Sport Inc.

US Equestrian Magazine May 2020 statement:

Thank you to our members who have joined AES in this important and necessary work by donating to Athletes for Equity in Sport. Designated donations for lobbyist effort are increasing as sportsmen and women, owners and stakeholders from gymnastics, skating, wrestling, boxing, cycling, equestrian, and fencing are joining in support of AES.  The Sheridan Group in Washington DC is AES’s registered Lobbyist. 

The Packy McGaughan GoFundMe campaign is also available. This campaign is in honor of Packy who was committed to AES and the changes that must be achieved in SafeSport procedure.  Packy’s leadership and connections in Washington DC,  prior to suddenly passing away in early March of 2020,  have been invaluable. Donations go directly to the legislative effort in DC for changes into the SafeSport procedures.  

Read the new SafeSport Code here:
https://uscenterforsafesport.org/response-and-resolution/safesport-code/

Please visit our website and become a member by making a donation.

Executive Group
Athletes for Equity in Sport
AthletesForEquity.org

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