Sports
Former USA Swimming VP complains about screening
Posted: Feb 25, 2013 6:18 PM by Jordan Mason
A former vice president at USA Swimming says the organization's new screening procedures failed to detect a coach with multiple identities and a felony conviction.
Mike Saltzstein has asked for a review of a coach known as James Pantera, who began working at San Diego Imperial Swimming last October or November.
Saltzstein says his review found the person has at least three identities and was sentenced to a year in federal prison for making false statements and fraudulently obtaining student loans. He questions whether USA Swimming's new screening policies are doing enough to protect swimmers in the wake of numerous sexual abuse cases involving coaches and underage athletes.
USA Swimming says its screening program relies on all members being diligent about athlete safety and it will "carefully look into the matter."
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