LANSING, Michigan (AP) – A former US gymnastics trainer with links to wretched sports physician Larry Nassar was accused Thursday of turning his Michigan gym into a criminal undertaking for years by coercing girls to train with him and then abuse them verbally and physically.
John Geddert was charged with two dozen crimes, including forms of human trafficking, a move that prosecutors recognized as an unusual use of Michigan law.
He is also accused of lying to investigators in 2016, when he denied having heard complaints about Nassar, who is serving decades in prison for sexually assaulting female athletes in a scandal that counted hundreds of victims and turned USA Gymnastics upside down.
Geddert, 63, was the head coach of the 2012 American women’s gymnastics team, who won the gold medal. He has been associated with Nassar, who was the doctor for the Olympic team and also treated injured gymnasts at Twistars, Geddert’s gym in the Lansing area.
Geddert is accused of recruiting minors for forced labor, a reference to the gymnasts he trained, according to documents filed with the Eaton County court.
A message asking for comments was left with Geddert’s lawyer. Attorney General Dana Nessel said the coach used “strength, fraud and coercion” to obtain financial benefits.
“Victims suffer from eating disorders,” said Nessel, “including bulimia and anorexia, suicide attempts and self-harm, excessive fitness, repeatedly being forced to act even when they are injured, extreme emotional abuse and physical abuse, including sexual assault.
“Many of these victims still carry these scars from this behavior to this day,” said the attorney general.
The charges against Geddert include two counts of sexual assault on a teenager in 2012.
Nessel acknowledged that the case may not fit the common understanding of human trafficking.
“We think it predominantly affects people of color or without means to protect themselves … but, honestly, it can happen to anyone, anywhere,” she said. “Impressionable young women can sometimes be vulnerable and open to trafficking crimes, regardless of their stature in the community or the financial well-being of their families.”
Assistant Attorney General Danielle Hagaman-Clark said the charges against Geddert “have very little to do” with Nassar.
Geddert was suspended for American gymnastics in Indianapolis during the Nassar scandal. He told families in 2018 that he was retiring.
On his LinkedIn page, Geddert described himself as the “most decorated female gym trainer in Michigan gym history”. He said his Twistars teams have won 130 club championships.
But Geddert was often portrayed in unflattering ways when Nassar’s victims spoke during court hearings in 2018.
“What a great best friend John was for Larry for giving him a whole world where he was able to abuse so easily,” said Lindsey Lemke, now a trainer at the University of Arkansas. “You two have a funny meaning for friendship. You, John Geddert, also deserve to sit behind bars next to Larry. “
___
White reported from Detroit.
Nichols is a member of the Associated Press / Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a national nonprofit service program that puts journalists in local newsrooms to report on covert issues.