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Former snowboarding coach Peter Foley has been suspended by the US Center for SafeSport following an investigation into Foley’s alleged history of sexual misconduct and abuse. The probe was issued after three female snowboarders accused Foley of sexual abuse. Earlier this year Foley, was the target of a lawsuit that alleged he had a history of extensive sexual crimes which spanned nearly two decades and was protected by USSS (U.S Ski and Snowboard). Foley has been relieved of his duties with both the Olympic and Paralympic teams.
The lawsuit was filed against Peter Foley by the US Ski and Snowboad (USSS) and the US Olympic and Paralympic committee including Rosey Fletcher, Callan Chythlook-Sifsof and Erin O’Malley. The lawsuit sought damages for Foley’s sexual abuse, and alleged that he was guilty of sex trafficking, covering up sexual abuse and misconduct. Lindsey Nikola, who was employed at the USSS in 2008, filed a separate lawsuit that alleged Foley had coerced her into taking nude photographs and sexually assaulted her.
The duration of Foley’s ban has not been revealed, though it has been reported to be for a minimum period of ten years, as well as five years of probation. Former Olympic snowboarder and U.S. Ski & Snowboard board member Lisa Kosglow was also suspended for three years for “abuse of process” and “failure to report” to SafeSport. The suspensions are pending appeals from Foley and Koglow
‘My hope is that Peter Foley will never be able to coach…anyone ever again’, says US team member Megan Tierney
Tierney is a former Olympian and a current member of the US team. She accused Foley in a letter to SafeSport. Her complaint was not regarding sexual abuse, but rather mental abuse and harassment.
She said, "I'm glad to see that Safesport has made the ... decision to suspend him. My hope is that Peter Foley will never be able to coach any female or, for that matter, anyone ever again. I think it's really important that Peter Foley be held accountable for what he has done."
Other athletes who came forward include Rosey Fletcher, who claimed that Foley had sexually assaulted her when she was 19, Erin O’Malley and Elke Barnes, who backed up Fletcher’s allegations.
Howard Jacobs, Foley’s attorney, said "Any allegations of sexual misconduct being made against [Foley] are false."
Foley had been the head coach of the US snowboard team since its inception in 1994. He led athletes to seven Olympic Games, winning a total of 35 medals between the men’s and women’s teams.
