Former director of sports and medicine and athletic trainer at San Jose State University, Scott Shaw, is facing charges in connection with accusations that he sexually assaulted female student-athletes.
Scott Shaw is accused of inappropriately touching at least four women without their consent under the guise of treating them for their injuries, according to the Department of Justice.
The DOJ said Shaw is accused of touching the student-athlete’s buttocks and breasts between 2017 and 2020. Shaw now faces a maximum of six years in prison if convicted of all courts.
San Jose State University released a statement in response to the allegations.
San Jose University continues to be grateful for the student-athletes who came forward to share their painful stories. Their bravery and resilience are commendable, and we hope that with the charges today, they are one step closer to justice.
Shaw’s current federal charges come after earlier allegations of sexual assault filed by more than a dozen female swimmers who accused Shaw of inappropriately touching them during physical therapy from 2006 to 2009. The university investigated and cleared Shaw of all wrongdoing during the time. He denied misconduct, and no criminal charges were filed against him.
In 2019, the school launched a second investigation after swimming coach Sage Hopkins alerted school officials of more alleged misconduct.
In 2020, Shaw resigned, and the fallout from the growing scandal prompted University President Mary Papazian and athletic director, Marie Tuite, to resign in 2021 after federal prosecutors found that the university failed to adequately respond to reports of sexual misconduct against Shaw even though complaints had been reported years before.
The University has agreed to pay $1.6 million to 13 female student-athletes as part of a settlement announced in September 2021 between the university, the Justice Department’s Civil rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Northern District of California.
