Mark Schubert, the former U.S. Olympic team coach and USA Swimming national team director, has been released from lawsuit filed by former World champion swimmer Ariana Kukors Smith stemming from her alleged sexual abuse by her longtime coach Sean Hutchison, a U.S. Olympic and U.S. national team coach.
Attorneys for Kukors Smith asked the Orange County Superior Court earlier this month to dismiss her suit against Schubert “with prejudice.” Kukors Smith’s lawsuit against Hutchison, USA Swimming, Pacific Northwest Swimming, USA Swimming’s regional chapter in the Puget Sound area, and King Aquatic Club Boosters Association, Hutchison’s Seattle-area club, is still proceeding.
“I am pleased to be released from the lawsuit,” Schubert said in an email. “The allegations were found to be groundless, wasting time energy and money of all involved. The shotgun approach used by the plaintiff’s team, in making decisions as who to sue, was unjust and hurtful toward the innocent.”
Kukors Smith declined comment.
In the suit filed in May 2018, Kukors Smith, the 2009 World champion in the 200-meter individual medley and a world record-holder in the event, alleges that coaches and officials at the top levels of American swimming had for decades either ignored or covered-up sexual abuse by top coaches including Hutchison.
The suit alleges sexual abuse of a minor and negligence, and also charges that a former USA Swimming vice president and USA Swimming’s managing director for club development protected Hutchison during a background check process.
The U.S. Center for SafeSport last October banned Hutchison from the sport for life after finding he engaged in sexual misconduct against Kukors Smith when she was a minor.
The SafeSport investigation found that Hutchison molested Kukors Smith, had her perform oral sex on him and took nude photos of her when she was still a minor, according to SafeSport findings and its recommendation report.
The Department of Homeland Security along with local law enforcement conducted a search of Hutchison’s apartment just south of Seattle in February 2018. Officers seized computers and cell phones, according to persons familiar with the investigation.
Law enforcement agencies also conduced searches of warehouses connected to Hutchison and his businesses in California and Florida.
Hutchison had repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
RELATED:
Former U.S. national swim coach Sean Hutchison banned from swimming for life
Swimming star Ariana Kukors alleges Sean Hutchison sexually abused her
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