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Years after sex abuse scandal, a young gymnast says "it happened again"

Years after sex abuse scandal, a young gymnast says "it happened again"

Summary

Sean Gardner, a gymnastics coach, faces multiple felony charges for secretly filming young girls in a Mississippi gym's bathroom in 2017 and 2018. Despite early warnings to USA Gymnastics, Gardner later moved to a gym in Iowa where he is accused of abusing more young gymnasts, leading to several lawsuits.

Key Facts

  • Sean Gardner is charged with 12 felony counts related to secretly recording girls aged 6 to 14 in a gym bathroom.
  • Investigators found about 50 videos and 400 photos from Gardner’s home as proof.
  • The abuse allegations date back to 2017-2018 at a Purvis, Mississippi gymnastics gym.
  • A complaint was made to USA Gymnastics in 2018 about Gardner’s behavior, but he still moved to a well-known Iowa gym.
  • Gardner is accused of abusing at least five gymnasts at the Iowa gym, leading to multiple lawsuits.
  • The case is seen as another major failure to protect young gymnasts after the Larry Nassar scandal.
  • USA Gymnastics has acknowledged the seriousness but cannot comment further due to ongoing legal proceedings.
  • Victims and lawyers say Gardner’s actions were ignored despite warning signs.
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