Former athlete Amanda Le has filed a federal complaint against USA Swimming, claiming the organization did not shield her from her former coach, Joseph Bernal, who she alleges sexually assaulted and raped her.
The lawsuit labels former Olympic coach and Hall of Fame inductee Bernal as a “known child rapist.” It was filed with the US District Court in Massachusetts.
A lawsuit against USA Swimming describes Amanda Le’s torture that she faced
Former competitive swimmer Amanda Le said that she was sexually abused by Bernal between roughly 2008 and 2014, beginning when she was a minor.
According to the lawsuit, despite being aware of Bernal’s behavior, USA Swimming and other organizations took no action. Between 2006 and 2010, Le trained with Bernal at the Gator Swim Club in New England, where the alleged abuse occurred.
The 33-page lawsuit details how Bernal, a world record holder and coach to multiple Olympic medalists, preyed on young girls by abusing his position. It also describes how Bernal’s wrongdoing was reportedly made possible by the infrastructure and assistance that USA Swimming allegedly provided for him.
USA Swimming named in explosive sexual abuse lawsuit involving former coach Joseph Bernal. @indystartony has the story. https://t.co/08iCrA9jaV via @indystar
— Tim Evans (@starwatchtim) June 17, 2024
Le’s abuse allegedly started when she was fifteen, intensified over the years, and persisted even when certain adults, including Le’s parents and another coach, learned about it. Attorney Jon Little for Amanda Le stressed that this case highlights a larger problem in competitive youth sports, when successful coaches are frequently exempt from punishment even in the face of misbehavior accusations.
Little brought up the related issue of Larry Nassar, the former Olympic physician whose mistreatment resulted in a 2021 settlement of $380 million.
Little said, emphasizing that Le’s action seeks to assist other survivors and raise awareness of the structural problems that permit this kind of abuse to continue: “Amanda felt alone back then, but she doesn’t now,”
The case alleges negligence, sexual assault, and violations of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act against Bernal, USA Swimming, and other defendants.
