U.S. Center for SafeSport Chief Executive Officer Ju’Riese Colón testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Feb. 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File) |
SafeSport CEO Responds to Investigator’s Arrest: Revelations Are ‘Just Sickening’
The CEO of the U.S. Center for SafeSport, Ju’Riese Colon, described the arrest of former investigator Jason Krasley on rape and sex-trafficking charges as “just sickening” in an email to over 70 U.S. Olympic leaders. The email, obtained by The Associated Press, followed a report detailing the arrest and highlighted the organization’s efforts to assess the situation.
“I am angry and so disappointed,” Colon wrote. “I’m sad for our organization and the impact this may have on athletes. This work is so hard, and to know that someone could have not only fooled us but also law enforcement, is just sickening.”
Evaluating Past Cases
Colon assured the Olympic and Paralympic community that there was no evidence Krasley committed any wrongdoing while employed at the center. However, she confirmed that an independent review of cases handled by Krasley was underway.
“While we do not have any reason to believe he committed any wrongdoing while at the Center, the audit may result in the Center re-opening cases,” she explained. This echoed a message sent to a claimant requesting the reopening of their case, in which a SafeSport employee stated, “Because we have many checks built into our investigative process, we do not anticipate that we will need to re-open many, if any, cases.”
Origins of SafeSport and Current Challenges
The U.S. Center for SafeSport was established in 2017 in response to high-profile abuse scandals, including those involving Larry Nassar, to ensure that Olympic sports organizations could handle allegations of abuse appropriately. By the end of 2023, the center’s database included over 2,000 individuals restricted or banned from sports participation.
Krasley, hired after leaving the Allentown, Pennsylvania, police department in 2021, was dismissed from SafeSport following his initial arrest for allegedly stealing $5,500 during a drug bust. Six weeks later, he was arrested on charges including rape and involuntary sexual servitude.
“These charges are far more serious than the last, are despicable if true, and certainly put the Center back in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons,” Colon wrote.
Details of the Allegations and Legal Proceedings
According to court documents, Krasley and another officer allegedly coerced a victim into sexual acts as part of a prostitution sting and drug arrest incidents dating back to 2011 and 2015. Krasley has denied the allegations, with his lawyer calling the timing of the arrests “bizarre” and noting Krasley’s decorated career in law enforcement.
The allegations had not surfaced during SafeSport’s background checks. Colon acknowledged the lapse, stating that the center is “evaluating our screening and hiring practices.”
Moving Forward
“This situation is unprecedented for the Center,” Colon wrote. “As such, we will continue to implement and revise our response plan as necessary.” Despite the challenges, Colon emphasized the center’s commitment to its mission and to safeguarding the integrity of its processes.