The U.S. Center for SafeSport has announced plans to introduce a morals clause to its code of conduct, and its CEO will personally conduct interviews for new job applicants, following the arrest of a former investigator charged with serious sexual offenses.
On Tuesday, the center hosted a virtual forum named “The State of SafeSport,” during which CEO Ju’Riese Colon provided updates and responded to inquiries from athletes and stakeholders.
Colon emphasized that the center is reassessing its hiring and screening protocols after Jason Krasley, a former police officer from Pennsylvania, was arrested first for misappropriating drug money, and later for charges including rape and sex trafficking.
Expressing her distress over the situation, Colon stated, “I’m still very angry about this. I’m disappointed and sad. This was certainly unprecedented and something we’ll strive to never have happen again, because it was a dark week for the center. It definitely impacts the trust we’re striving to build.”
Upon discovering Krasley’s arrest in November for allegedly stealing $5,500 from a drug bust he participated in, the center terminated his employment immediately.
His recent arrest this month raised significant questions about the center’s procedures for hiring and vetting personnel. Colon reassured that the center practiced a thorough background check process, which included social media scrutiny, reference checks, and multiple interview sessions, but acknowledged that an evaluation of these processes is ongoing.
“We’ve reached out to several other background-check companies, screeners, and reference-checkers to explore any additional measures we can implement,” she noted, while also highlighting the challenges posed by having staff in 32 different states with varying employment laws.
To address the impact of Krasley’s alleged activities, the center has engaged a third-party firm to audit the cases he worked on to determine if any need further investigation. Colon indicated that there had been no signs of misconduct by Krasley during his nearly two years at the center.
Krasley’s attorney has stated that his client denies all allegations against him.
Established in 2017 to handle sex-abuse cases within Olympic sports, the center was formed in response to high-profile scandals involving individuals like Larry Nassar that revealed the failures of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and associated organizations, in managing such cases adequately.
As of late last year, the investigations team at the center consisted of 36 individuals.
Colon outlined several changes implemented this year to enhance the lengthy process that has been hampered by staffing shortages, acknowledging that the center currently receives around 155 new reports weekly. However, she recognized that the most pressing concern remains Krasley’s arrest.
“This was devastating news for us, for the movement, for athletes, for survivors,” she remarked. “It’s just terrible.”
