Officials at the U.S. Center for SafeSport were aware that a former police officer was subject to an internal investigation at his previous job but chose to hire him regardless, as per details made public on Wednesday by a U.S. senator conducting an inquiry into the matter.
Senator Chuck Grassley sent a detailed letter to Ju’Riese Colon, CEO of the Center for SafeSport, questioning the decision to employ Jason Krasley as an investigator despite known allegations. Grassley expressed concerns over Krasley’s hiring, pointing to earlier knowledge of potential legal issues during his tenure at the Allentown, Pennsylvania police department.
Grassley highlighted that Colon had disclosed to him that one of Krasley’s recommendations during the employment application process had reported an internal investigation into him. These probes stemmed from accusations made by a purported victim, later retracted. Grassley voiced his disapproval, stating that Krasley had faced charges of various sex crimes, including rape and sex trafficking, all preceding his appointment to the center in 2021. The Center for SafeSport, responsible for examining sex-abuse claims within Olympic sports, terminated Krasley two months after discovering allegations of financial misconduct at his former police station.
In her response to Grassley, Colon outlined changes intended to refine the organization’s vetting process. These changes include updates to the center’s code of ethics, enhanced ethics clauses for employees, and direct involvement from Colon in the final stages of hiring decisions. Additionally, Colon mentioned that the organization now utilizes the National Decertification Index to track disciplinary actions related to officer misconduct.
Krasley, who managed to handle over a hundred investigations during his tenure, left a mixed legacy, and even though no incidents of misconduct were reported while he was employed by SafeSport, concerns about the center’s judgment in recruiting surfaced. He is presently on bail pending trial, with his lawyer insisting on his innocence.
Senator Grassley also addressed a letter to April Holmes, the chair of the center’s board, critiquing the board’s oversight. Grassley questioned the structure of resource allocation, hinting at misplaced priorities within SafeSport. He pointed out expenditures such as substantial legal fees and other miscellaneous expenses in 2023, deeming these excessive for a nonprofit institution.
The letter ended with requests for clarification on executive salaries, especially Colon’s remuneration and bonus. The board has committed to providing a detailed response to Grassley by the specified deadline.