Former skating coach faces new sexual abuse allegations

[voivod]

Former skating coach faces new sexual abuse allegationsPat Eaton-Robb, Associated Press Writer | March 28, 2007

HARTFORD, Conn. --A former world-class figure skating coach who was banned from national competitions after settling a sexual abuse lawsuit faces new allegations from two former competitive figure skaters.

Bob Young, best known for bringing Olympic champions Oksana Baiul, Viktor Petrenko and Ekaterina Gordeeva to train in Connecticut, is accused in federal and state lawsuits of abusing Emilie Nussear and Collete Appel, whom he trained at the International Skating Center in Simsbury and the Connecticut Skating Center in Newington.

They allege in lawsuits filed last week by Appel in U.S. District Court and by Nussear in Hartford Superior Court that Young repeatedly forced them strip in front of him, touched their genitals and breasts and asked them sexual questions.

The lawsuits, reported Wednesday by The Hartford Courant, claim that Nussear, now 24, was abused while Young worked at the Simsbury skating center, and Appel, now 21, was abused at the Newington rink, where Young started working in 2000.

"These were both very committed, ambitious and driven skaters who feared that if they disclosed what was happening their skating careers would be destroyed," said Gary Phelan, their attorney.

Messages seeking comment were left Wednesday for both Young and attorney Richard Kenny, who represented Young in a similar lawsuit lodged by figure skater Jessica Roos in 2000.

It is The Associated Press' policy not to identify most alleged victims of sexual abuse, but Appel and Nussear are willing to be identified to bring awareness to their cause, Phelan said.

"One of their objectives in filing this lawsuit is to make sure that what they went through, no other young woman will ever suffer again," he said.

Phelan said he was "not authorized" to comment about whether the alleged abuse, which he said occurred between 1998-2004, is the subject of any criminal investigation.

A message seeking comment was left with New Britain State's Attorney Scott Murphy.

Young settled with Roos, who also brought her allegations before the U.S. Figure Skating Association. That group subsequently banned Young from coaching athletes at competitions sanctioned by the USFSA.

But Young continued as a private coach at the Newington rink, which is also named as a defendant in Appel's lawsuit and is accused of negligent hiring.

"The owner of Newington was quoted at the time as saying they were aware of the allegations, and found (Young) to be professional and ethical," Phelan said.

A woman who answered the phone Wednesday at the Newington center said they had nothing to do with the lawsuit, and that Young has not been associated with the rink for several years.

Both Appel and Nussear had distinguished skating careers, winning several medals in international competitions. Appel won the U.S. junior pairs figure skating championship in 2002, while Nussear won a silver medal at the 2000 junior worlds competition.

"They were not Michelle Kwan, but they were nationally known skaters," Phelan said.

Young currently runs a private photography business, B. Young Photography, specializing in modeling photos of girls and young women.

http://www.byoungphotography.com/Gallery%201.htm

[JeffHarshman]

I wouldn't mind "coaching" Sasha Cohen

[jimmy812]

I wouldn't mind "coaching" Sasha Cohen

Why do you want to coach Borat how to figure skate?

[jd5150]

kind of funny his name is Bob "Young"...

The last line is just creepy:
"Young currently runs a private photography business, B. Young Photography, specializing in modeling photos of girls and young women".

This dude will end up being some guys bitch in jail, just watch.

[voivod]

I wouldn't mind "coaching" Sasha Cohen

[ZeoBandit]

Oh sweet Jesus.......

*drool*

[voivod]

[chefcraig]

Christ this is awkward: Here I am viewing this, not truly paying attention to my surroundings, and a busload of local Episcopal school chicks arrive at the library.

The giggling ensues, and now I must seem like the local library perv in their view.

Then again, some of these chicks are damned hot in those uni's.

[voivod]

Christ this is awkward: Here I am viewing this, not truly paying attention to my surroundinds, and a busload of local Episcopal school chicks arrive at the library.

The giggling ensues, and now I must seem like the local library perv in their view.

Then again, some of these chicks are damned hot in those uni's.

New acronym...

NSFLV
Not Safe For Library Viewing

or NSFEC
Not Safe For Episcopal Chicks

[jimmy812]

New acronym...

NSFLV
Not Safe For Library Viewing

or NSFEC
Not Safe For Episcopal Chicks

chefcraig, maybe those girls were just giggling with you.

[chefcraig]

chefcraig, maybe those girls were just giggling with you.

Right...and the Bataan Death March was actually a casual summer hike in the woods.

[jimmy812]

Right...and the Bataan Death March was actually a casual summer hike in the woods.

It depends on whom you ask.

Anyway, I was just trying to ease your grief.

I should probably get back on to Sacha Cohen....sigh

[chefcraig]

It depends on whom you ask.

Anyway, I was just trying to ease your grief.

I should probably get back on to Sacha Cohen....sigh

The effort was indeed appreciated bro, I was not belittling the attempt.

[jimmy812]

The effort was indeed appreciated bro, I was not belittling the attempt.

chef, did you wait until the girls were gone or did you put your pants back on in front of them?

[sisca]

oh, the things i could to do her.