Michigan authorities are now investigating former Olympic gymnastics coach John Geddert, an associate of the doctor who was just sentenced to decades in prison for molesting young athletes — some of them at Geddert’s club.
The Eaton County Sheriff’s office would not discuss the nature of the complaints it has received about Geddert, who was suspended by USA Gymnastics two weeks ago, or how many it has received.
“We have had people coming forward and our investigation is ongoing,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement Tuesday.
Victims of former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar say that Geddert created a toxic atmosphere at his Twistars club that allowed a predator to abuse girls who felt they couldn’t complain. Nassar treated members of the club, sometimes at the club.
Geddert’s lawyer could not be reached for comment Tuesday. In a statement last month he said the coach “only wishes to convey his heartfelt sympathy to all victims of Larry Nassar.”
USA Gymnastics did not say why it suspended Geddert, the head coach of the 2012 U.S. Olympics team, citing only a “pending matter.”
Geddert has longstanding ties to Nassar, who is accused of molesting at least 265 girls and women — including Olympic champions — under the guise of medical treatments. Nassar was sentenced Monday to 40 to 125 years in prison after pleading guilty to abusing three girls at Twistars; he previously got 40 to 175 years for abusing seven other victims and 60 years for child pornography.