Photo: Oleg Nikishin/Epsilon/Getty
Bridget Namiotka has accused her former figure skating partnerJohn Coughlin, who died of an apparent suicide in January, of sexual abuse.
In a series of fourFacebook postson Sunday, Namiotka, 29, alleged that Coughlin “sexually abused” her as she replied to a since-deleted post that had been written in support of the skater, according toUSA Today.
“I’m sorry but John hurt at least 10 people including me,” read Namiotka’s first post, which is still visible on her Facebook. “He sexually abused me for 2 years. Nobody innocent hangs themself [sic].”
She continued in a second post shortly after: “Someone that’s innocent doesn’t hang himself. Think about the victims when you’re speaking up for what he did to at least 10 girls.”
“Think about all of the girls he hurt,” Namiotka added, concluding in a fourth message: “Grooming happens. It happened to me and he hurt a lot of girls. Think about the victims.”
Namiotka and Coughlin teamed up from 2004 to 2007. They won three medals together on the Junior Grand Prix series and placed fourth at the 2006 and 2007 World Junior Championships.
Coughlin’s former rep did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
John Coughlin.Rick Bowmer/AP/REX/Shutterstock
According toUSA Today, on Dec. 17, SafeSport — an organization that has “exclusive jurisdiction over sexual misconduct” in the Olympic loop and investigates other abuse allegationsacross multiple sports—restricted Coughlin’s eligibilityto participate in figure skating pending final resolution of a matter presented to them. On Jan. 8, Coughlin resigned from his post as U.S. brand manager for John Wilson Blades, a skating blade retail company,USA Todayreported.
The details of the investigation or why he was suspended were not provided, as it is against SafeSport’s policy to comment on ongoing investigations.
John Coughlin.Harry How/Getty Images)
Although the details of SafeSport’s investigation were unknown, a source familiar with their process previously told PEOPLE, “a suspension means there have been enough allegations or concern about safety to where we say, ‘This person just cannot participate at all.’”
According toUSA Today,SafeSport announced in February it was ending the investigation following Coughlin’s death. The source previously told PEOPLE that the center only operates on concerns of safety, rather than punishment, and they likely would not continue investigations after someone has died.
“We don’t suspend people as punishment,” the source said at the time. “We suspend people when there’s a concern of imminent harm.”
On Jan. 7, Coughlin toldUSA Todaytheallegations against him were “unfounded.”
A spokesperson for SafeSport toldUSA Todaythat it was “not true” Coughlin was unable to speak about the investigation.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “help” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go tosuicidepreventionlifeline.org.
source: people.com
