DENVER – The U.S. Center for SafeSport has dismissed its CEO, Ju’Riese Colón, marking a significant turning point for the organization following the hiring of an investigator later charged with rape. The announcement was made through an email, highlighting the turmoil that has persisted since Colón began her role in 2019. Tasked with facilitating the center’s progress, she encountered numerous challenges including lengthy delays in case processing and discontent among those involved in proceedings that stretched on interminably.
The Center, meant to address sexual abuse within Olympic sports, will now see its board chair, April Holmes, lead an interim management committee as the search for Colón’s successor begins. Holmes expressed appreciation for Colón’s contributions and emphasized the Center’s ongoing mission to foster a safer sports environment. However, attempts to reach Colón for comment were unsuccessful.
Colón’s tenure was marred by controversies, notably the hiring of Jason Krasley, a former Pennsylvania vice squad officer. Krasley joined as an investigator in 2021 but was terminated by November after allegations emerged of his involvement in a theft from a drug operation during his police tenure. The situation escalated with Krasley’s arrest for rape and other charges, a development that harmed the Center’s credibility and prompted a revision of its hiring practices.
This incident led to Senator Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, beginning an inquiry into the Center’s management of the Krasley episode. In correspondence with Colón, Grassley highlighted the gravity of having a SafeSport investigator accused of crimes they’re tasked with preventing. The Center’s decision to appoint Krasley, despite an ongoing internal probe, raised further questions and prompted Grassley to demand more information by May 1, a request SafeSport intends to meet.
Reacting to the situation, the Center reached out to individuals Krasley had interacted with, offering support and inviting feedback on their experiences. Some individuals, including one named Jacqui Stevenson, expressed distress over the notification and concern about potential impacts on their cases. Although the Center assured there was no evidence Krasley’s cases were compromised, the outreach highlighted broader issues.
Established amidst a broader reckoning with abuse scandals in American Olympic sports, SafeSport’s ability to effectively fulfill its mandate is now under scrutiny. Originating from failures within organizations like USA Gymnastics and inspired by emotional testimonies from survivors, the center’s independence and funding strategies have been points of contention. With revenues exceeding $24 million, it relies heavily on the industries it oversees, maintaining a balance between autonomy and obligation.
The Center has struggled with a high volume of reports, more than 150 weekly, and limited staffing, with fewer than three dozen investigators managing cases. Despite the barrage of complaints about inefficiencies, Colón advocated for increased funding, aiming to extend resources and coverage across the sprawling spectrum of American sports,
Krasley’s saga, however, cast a long shadow over these efforts, challenging the center’s operational integrity. Critics argued that appointing someone under suspicion of serious offenses to a pivotal investigative role was a severe misstep. Grassley’s rebuke underscored the necessity for appointing investigators without personal misconduct allegations. The viability of SafeSport’s unique model, conceptualized to address prior failings within the U.S. Olympic movement, now faces significant skepticism.