Figure Skating Coach Who Once Trained Olympic Champion Tara Lipinski Suspended for Sexual Misconduct Allegations

by Gabrielle Okun

NEW YORK – Tara Lipinski’s old figure skating coach was suspended over sexual misconduct allegations, U.S. Figure Skating confirmed in a statement Friday.

Richard Callaghan, 72, a former coach for gold-winning figure skater Lipinski, was suspended due to an ongoing investigation regarding sexual misconduct allegations that have resurfaced, reported the New York Post. The allegations date back to around 19 years ago and previously were dismissed.

Craig Maurizi, the coach’s former student and later assistant, accused Callaghan of sexual misconduct in 1999. Callaghan allegedly engaged in sexual misconduct when Maurizi was 15 years old, The Cut reported.

US figure skating coach suspended amid sexual misconduct probe https://t.co/PxVDR5hBC4 pic.twitter.com/U3PjgMR4fE

— New York Post (@nypost) March 10, 2018

The U.S. Center for SafeSport, the U.S. Olympic Committee’s independent watchdog organization for misconduct, is investigating the allegations. Callaghan is also barred from all figure skating activities until the outcome of the case.

U.S. Figure Skating suspended the membership of Richard Callaghan on March 6, 2018, in compliance with the policies and procedures of the U.S. Center for SafeSport,” the figure skating governing body said.

Callaghan denied the allegations. “That’s 19 or 20 years ago,” he told ABC News. “I have nothing to say.” At the time, Callaghan denied that he ever had sex with Maurizi.

Maurizi told ABC News that he is in the process of securing legal representation.