The U.S. Center for SafeSport is being called on by a U.S. senator to explain the circumstances involved in hiring an investigator who faces criminal charges, including rape and theft.
The non-profit Center was authorized by Congress in 2017 with the goal of ending sexual, physical and emotional abuse involving athletes in the Olympic and Paralympic movement, in the wake of a sex scandal centered on U.S. gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar. There are dozens of equestrians’ names on SafeSport’s centralized disciplinary database, with most offenses listed including sexual misconduct involving a minor.
As Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) noted this month in his letter to SafeSport CEO Ju’Riese Colón, “Accusations of rape and other sex crimes against any SafeSport investigator are especially concerning given SafeSport’s mandate to protect athletes from similar abuse.
“Charges of that nature seriously call into question the quality of SafeSport’s vetting of its own officials.”
Former Safe Sport investigator Jason Krasley, who was hired by the Center in 2021, is charged with stealing $5,500 from a crime suspect in 2019 when he was a detective in the Allentown, Pa., police department. He was arraigned Nov. 15, 2024’s in Lehigh County, Pa.’s Magisterial District Court on charges of theft, receiving stolen property and fabricating evidence. SafeSport fired him that month.
In his letter, Grassley went on to state that Krasley was working for SafeSport when he allegedly subjected an individual to harassing physical contact on June 14, 2024.
“He reportedly threatened his victim and used words lewd to the point of being criminal. This was not the first time Mr. Krasley purportedly engaged in misconduct. In 2015, he allegedly raped an individual `by threat of forcible compulsion.’ He was arraigned on this and other charges on December 19, 2024,” according to the senator’s letter.
Krasley’s attorney did not respond to requests for comment.
Citing other charges dating back to 2015 on which Krasley was arraigned in January 2025, Grassley seeks to know not only what information SafeSport had about Krasley, but also details of the Center’s hiring practices.
“Claimants share deeply personal information with SafeSport investigators. For some, the memories they share with SafeSport are among their worst.”
The Senator pointed out they deserve to deal with fair investigators who have not been accused of sexual misconduct.
An independent third-party firm is auditing Krasley’s cases to ensure fairness and adherence to the Center’s investigative protocol.
With guidance from trauma-informed experts, the Center is reaching out to both claimants and respondents in Krasley’s cases to inform them of the audit and how to contact the outside firm, as well as accessing additional support.
Grassley gave SafeSport until March 10 to respond to a series of 13 questions, including details of a new morals clause being added to the Center’s code of conduct. He also wants to know more about the Krasley situation, including how the investigations with which the former investigator was involved are being handled in the wake of his firing.
SafeSport is in the process of responding to the senator. Asked for a request for comment, the Center stated it “commissions a thorough background check on all prospective employees using a national background check provider. The checks include multiple levels of screening related to criminal and sex offender registry history and is repeated annually for all active employees. In addition, the Center conducts multiple interviews, reference reviews and investigates whether anyone has been a respondent in our process.
“The Center takes this matter seriously and is assessing the situation to determine what, if any, additional vetting could have prevented this individual from being eligible for hire. One initial step the Center is taking is adding language akin to a morals clause to the employee Code of Conduct.”
Colón said, “I am appalled that a former staff member has been accused of such heinous acts in his previous role as a police officer. We hold all staff to the highest standard because safeguarding athletes is our utmost priority.”
Legislation introduced at the end of last year would give SafeSport an additional $10 million in federal grants for training and education programs if it passed. The Center already receives $2.5 million from the government, and the remainder of its $20 million budget comes from Olympic and Paralympic sports’ governing bodies.