A former high-level swimmer has filed a federal lawsuit accusing her Hall of Fame coach of sexually abusing her when she was a minor about 15 years ago. The lawsuit also alleges that USA Swimming and other organizations and individuals were aware of the abuse and failed to intervene.
The lawsuit, filed in US District Court in Massachusetts, names Joseph Bernal, a former Fordham and Harvard swim coach who coached multiple Olympic medalists and world record holders. Bernal, who was inducted into the American Swim Coaches Hall of Fame in 2015, founded the Bernal’s Gator Swim Club where the abuse allegedly took place.
The lawsuit states that Bernal sexually abused the swimmer, identified as Amanda Le, from about 2008 to 2014. In 2016, USA Swimming permanently banned Bernal for his abuse of Le, who was referred to as 'Athlete A' in the ban.
Despite some adults being aware of the abuse, including Le's parents and another coach at Bernal's Gator Swim Club, no action was taken to protect Le. The lawsuit also alleges that USA Swimming was aware of complaints about Bernal's inappropriate behavior with minor female swimmers prior to Le's involvement in the sport.
The lawsuit accuses Bernal, USA Swimming, and other defendants of violating the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. Bernal is also accused of sexual abuse, while the others are accused of negligence.
This lawsuit comes in the wake of a series of allegations of abuse and misconduct in national governing bodies overseeing elite-level youth sports. The swimmer's attorney highlighted a culture that allows such abuse to persist, emphasizing the need for systemic change to protect young athletes.
Another lawsuit involving Bernal was mentioned, where Kimberly Stines accused him of a campaign of emotional and sexual abuse dating back to 1976. The litigation is ongoing, with a trial expected in late 2025 or early 2026.
