A scandal at the U.S. Center for SafeSport has resulted in an external audit of over 100 cases and the reopening of at least three investigations. The developments raise serious questions about the integrity of SafeSport’s investigative process—and underscore why athletes facing SafeSport proceedings need experienced legal representation from the outset.
The Krasley Scandal
According to ESPN reporting, SafeSport fired investigator Jason Krasley in November 2024 after his arrest for allegedly stealing drug money during his previous career as a police officer in Allentown, Pennsylvania. In January 2025, Krasley faced additional charges including rape and sexual assault for alleged incidents during his time as an officer.
The revelations prompted SafeSport to commission an external audit of all 114 cases Krasley handled during his tenure with the agency. The audit found that while Krasley generally conducted himself professionally, he sometimes employed an overly familiar interview style that crossed professional boundaries.
According to the audit report, Krasley communicated with parties outside business hours, discussed topics unrelated to their cases, and conducted lengthy unrecorded phone conversations. These practices, the auditor noted, can erode the ethical boundaries essential to fair investigations.
Why This Matters for SafeSport Respondents
For anyone who has been through a SafeSport investigation, this news is both vindicating and troubling. SafeSport investigations can end careers, destroy reputations, and result in lifetime bans from athletic participation. The stakes could not be higher—yet the Krasley scandal reveals that the agency’s hiring and oversight processes were inadequate to prevent a problematic investigator from handling sensitive cases.
The audit’s recommendations highlight systemic issues that experienced SafeSport defense attorneys have long observed. Among the recommended changes: investigators should avoid conducting substantive interviews via unrecorded phone calls, and clear boundaries must be established to prevent informal mechanisms that could facilitate manipulation or bias.
These recommendations acknowledge what many respondents have experienced firsthand—that SafeSport investigations can feel less like neutral fact-finding and more like exercises in building a case against the accused. When investigators operate without clear boundaries, the risk of unfair outcomes increases dramatically.
Three Cases Reopened—Potentially More to Come
The audit led to the immediate reopening of three cases. SafeSport also identified two additional matters requiring further investigation based on information obtained outside the audit’s scope. The agency has invited anyone who had contact with Krasley to reach out and discuss whether their case should be reevaluated.
This is significant. If you were investigated by SafeSport during Krasley’s tenure and believe the investigation was conducted improperly, you may have grounds to seek reconsideration of your case. Even if you were investigated by a different SafeSport employee, the systemic issues revealed by this audit—including the use of informal, unrecorded communications—may have affected your case as well.
Broader Problems at SafeSport
The Krasley scandal did not occur in isolation. SafeSport’s CEO was ousted in April 2025 amid the fallout. The agency has since rewritten many of its hiring policies and brought in outside organizations to help with outreach to affected parties.
But these changes come after years of criticism about SafeSport’s processes. Athletes and coaches accused of misconduct have often found themselves facing investigations that lack basic procedural protections. There is no right to cross-examine accusers. Evidence standards are murky. And as the Krasley case demonstrates, the investigators themselves may not meet the professional standards one would expect from an agency wielding such enormous power over people’s lives and livelihoods.
What to Do If You’re Facing a SafeSport Investigation
If you are currently under investigation by SafeSport—or if you were investigated in the past and have concerns about how your case was handled—you should consult with an attorney who understands these proceedings. SafeSport investigations operate outside the traditional court system, but the consequences can be just as severe as criminal charges.
At The Chetson Firm, we represent athletes, coaches, and sports professionals facing SafeSport investigations. We understand the unique procedural challenges these cases present and work to protect our clients’ rights at every stage of the process. If you have questions about a SafeSport matter, contact us for a consultation.