San Jose State University's former Director of Sports Medicine has been charged with violating civil rights of four female athletes. He is accused of inappropriately touching them under the pretense of treatment. Federal officials announced Thursday.
According to a statement by the U.S. Department of Justice, Scott Shaw (54), allegedly committed sexual misconduct towards student-athletes in 2017 and 2020.
Officials stated that Shaw touched the breasts and buttocks of athletes "without their consent" and for no legitimate reason.
According to court records filed Thursday at the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, Shaw is facing six counts of misdemeanor removal of rights under color of laws.
According to court filings, he worked at the state college between 2006 and 2020. He was also the chief athletic trainer.
Officials said that Shaw could spend up to six years in prison for being convicted of all charges. According to court filing, Shaw will appear before the U.S. District Court San Jose on Tuesday.
Shaw and his attorney were unable to be reached Friday for comment.
San Jose State University expressed gratitude to the student-athletes for their support in Thursday's statement.
San Jose State University (SJSU), continues to be grateful to the student-athletes for sharing their stories. We are proud of their courage and resilience and hope they will be brought to justice with today's charges.
Federal charges follow earlier sexual assault allegations from over a dozen female swimmers that Shaw allegedly inappropriately touched them in physical therapy between 2006 and 2009.
In 2010, Shaw was cleared by the university of any wrongdoing. The university stated that Shaw's claims of improper touching had not been substantiated, and that they were actually "bona fide methods of treating muscle injury." Shaw denied any misconduct and continued to work for SJSU. No criminal charges were brought against him.
After a swimmer reported additional misconduct to school officials, the school began a second investigation in 2019. was conducted by an outside law firm. "All of the allegations were substantiated... and Shaw engaged in sexual harassment, and sexual misconduct," concluded the probe in February 2018.
Shaw resigned as a member of SJSU in 2020, just before the end of the investigation.
In September, federal prosecutors found that Shaw's sexual misconduct allegations had not been adequately addressed by the university despite having been made public for many years.
In September, San Jose State and the U.S. Justice Department's Civil Rights Division agreed to pay $1.6million to 13 female student-athletes. This was part of a settlement between the university and the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Northern District of California.
