Lawyer Jonathan Little isn’t pulling his punches in the allegations against USA Swimming, in the case of 14-year-old “Jane Doe” against USA Swimming and Indiana Swimming. It is his sixth lawsuit against USA Swimming, that according to Indystar.com “faces an increasing number of lawsuits alleging a pattern of sexual misconduct among swimming coaches nationally.”:

“We have a rotten, sick culture in USA Swimming,” Little said at a news conference Thursday. “Just like in the Penn State case, those in authority ignored sexual abuse claims and failed to report sexual abuse complaints to law enforcement.

“USA Swimming and Indiana Swimming have failed to protect (my client) and possibly a number of other swimmers across the country by fostering a culture that places the protection of pedophile coaches ahead of protecting athletes.”

And also here in the Indystar, with a mugshot of the culprit Christopher Wheat:

“USA swimming fosters the culture that harbors pedophiles,” Little told a news conference this morning.

USA Swimming and Indiana Swimming had two chances to stop the coach before he molested the girl, identified as “Jane Doe,” Little said.

In addition to monetary damages for the young swimmer, the suit seeks the termination of top officials at USA and Indiana swimming (!)

“The victim, known as Jane Doe, claims that USA Swimming and Indiana Swimming had two opportunities to stop the swim coach before he molested the young female swimmer.” Christopher Wheat was sentenced in September 2010 to eight years in prison and two in community correction programs after he pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual misconduct with a minor and one count of child solicitation, the victim a swimmer on the Lawrence Swim Team where he was head coach and executive director. Read thestarpress.com.