Former USA gymnasts claim USAG board members covered up sex abuse allegations
ANAHEIM, Calif. (KABC) -- Former gymnast Rachael Denhollander is calling for a regime change at the USA Gymnastics.
She is one of more than 125 women and girls accusing former Olympic and national team Dr. Larry Nassar of sexual abuse. Denhollander, another former gymnast Jamie Dantzcher and their attorney John Manly demand new leadership at the organization.
"The painful reality is that no one on the board of USAG can be trusted on the issue of sexual assault," Denhollander said. "Culture of abuse at USAG had created institutional dynamics where over and over and over again predators were protected and the children were sacrificed."
They are asking for USAG Chairman Paul Parilla, Vice Chairman Jay Binder and Treasurer Bitsy Kelley to be removed. The gymnasts are not only accusing the leadership of ignoring the suspected abuse, but trying to cover it up.
"No one from USA Gymnastics has apologized nor accepted any responsibility for Nassar's assaults on dozens of USA gymnasts," Dantzcher said.
The call for action comes as the USAG's 2017 National Championships kick off at the Honda Center. Nassar is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to federal child pornography charges.
The USAG sent Eyewitness News the following statement:
Manly said the board members need to be replaced with people who are "child focused and child-centric."
