Canadian gymnastics coach Dave Brubaker facing multiple sex-related charges

Dave Brubaker, the women’s national team director of Gymnastics Canada, faces multiple sex-related charges.

Sarnia Police said in a statement that Brubaker was charged Friday with one count of invitation to sexual touching, three counts of sexual interference, three counts of sexual exploitation, and three counts of sexual assault.

The statement said Brubaker appeared in court on Friday and was released on bail with a February 2018 court date.

Police didn’t give any further details about the allegations and Gymnastics Canada said in a release that a publication ban has been imposed in the case.

The Bluewater Gymnastics Club, where Brubaker is the club director, did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
Brubaker was Canada’s head gymnastics coach at the 2016 Rio Olympics and was the women’s national team director at the 2017 world championships in Montreal in October, where Halifax native Ellie Black captured the women’s all-around silver medal.

Gymnastics Canada said in a statement that it was troubled by the allegations against Brubaker, who has been placed on administrative leave by the organization.

The news comes a week after Gymnastics Canada suspended an Edmonton-based coach on Thursday amid allegations he sexually abused some of his former students. Michel Arsenault allegedly sexually abused at least three gymnasts in Quebec when they were minors in the 1980s and early ’90s.

South of the border a former elite sports doctor associated with USA Gymnastics, Larry Nassar, was sentenced to 60 years in prison for possessing child pornography and destroying evidence. He’s awaiting prison sentences in state court for molesting girls, especially gymnasts, who needed help with injuries in the Lansing area.

Nassar, 54, worked at Michigan State and at Indianapolis-based USA Gymnastics, which trains Olympians. Olympians McKayla Maroney, Aly Raisman and Gabby Douglas say they were among his victims as teens.

Files from The Associated Press were used in this report

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