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Former figure skating coach Richard Callaghan accused of sexually abusing student athletes

A $10 million lawsuit was filed this week on behalf of a former competitive figure skater against one of the sport’s most celebrated coaches, Richard Callaghan .

Craig Maurizi is accusing Coach Callaghan of sexual abuse that dates back to the 1970s.

The civil lawsuit names three figure skating organizations that allegedly knew and did nothing about Callaghan’s rampant misconduct.

Maurizi, now 57,  named the Buffalo Skating Club, the Professional Skaters Association and the U.S. Figure Skating Association as co-defentants in the suit.

The Buffalo Skating Club turned down the opportunity to speak on the matter, and referred all questions to the U.S. Figure Skating Association, its parent organization.

The U.S. Figure Skating Association also declined to comment on the matter.

The Spokesperson for the Professional Skaters Association said: “PSA is committed to the safety of athletes and reports all claims of abuse to the U.S. Center for SafeSport and local authorities,” 

Callaghan “was pushed out of” the Buffalo Skating Club in 1980 “in part because of his abuse of Craig,” according to the complaint.

“Rather than take any steps to stop Callaghan’s abuse, such as making an official report to USFS, PSA, or law enforcement, BSC instead foisted him on another skating club, the Philadelphia Skating Club,” the lawsuit continued. “Upon information and belief, it was widely known among members of USFS and PSA that Callaghan had been pushed out of BSC because of his abuse of Craig and others.”

According to the lawsuit, the Buffalo Skating Club knew the coach kept alcohol in his office which he shared with minors, according to the lawsuit.

“BSC was aware of Callaghan’s abuse of Craig, but permitted Callaghan to continue to use their facilities for his illegal and illicit activities,” the complaint said.

The former figure skater said that the alcohol was a key component to the sexual abuse.

Richard Callaghan has continually denied any wrongdoing.

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