Reporting the Story: Gymnastics Coach Accused of Sexual Abuse


Chicago Tonight reporter Alex Ruppenthal talks about his investigation into allegations of sexual abuse surrounding a Chicago-area coach who was banned by USA Gymnastics in November 2017.

In part one of the series, we speak with a former youth gymnast who said she was abused by the coach at a gym in Wheeling starting when she was 12 years old. In 1997, she reported the alleged abuse to police, but no charges were filed. We also learn of allegations against the same coach from two youth gymnasts in Channahon, who spoke with police in 2014. Though no charges were filed then, Channahon Police now say they have reopened their investigation into the coach.

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“We want any victims to come forward,” Channahon Police Deputy Chief Adam Bogart said last week.

In part two of the series, we’ll tell the story of what happened following those 2014 allegations in Channahon.

Read part one of our series:

Gymnastics Coach Accused of Sexual Abuse Remained in Chicago-Area Gyms for Decades

March 30: A young suburban gymnast goes to the police in 1997, accusing her coach of sexual abuse, but charges are never filed. Now she is sharing her story. “Everything that happened to me I think people should know,” she said.


Contact Alex Ruppenthal: @arupp [email protected] | (773) 509-5623


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