Gymnasts, Parents Warned About Sean Gardner Years Before Sexual Abuse Arrest

Gym Owner, Parents, and Athletes Raised Red Flags Years Ago

In a case drawing parallels to the Larry Nassar scandal, gymnastics coach Sean Gardner is now facing federal charges of child sexual exploitation. However, according to an Associated Press investigation, serious concerns about Gardner’s conduct were raised years before his arrest—yet ignored or downplayed by multiple institutions, including the elite Chow’s Gymnastics and Dance Institute in Iowa.

Despite alarming complaints from young gymnasts, their parents, and Gardner’s former employer, he continued to coach—and was even promoted—until he was banned by the U.S. Center for SafeSport and later arrested by the FBI in August 2025.

Inappropriate Conduct Ignored by Olympic-Level Gym

Several parents revealed that their daughters reported inappropriate touching and disturbing conversations from Gardner to other coaches. One girl even told world-renowned coach Liang “Chow” Qiao that Gardner had touched her inappropriately during training. Chow, whose gym has produced Olympic gold medalists, dismissed the concerns, claiming any contact was accidental and meant to prevent injury.

Rather than investigating further, Chow promoted Gardner to head coach in 2020.

“She felt totally invalidated,” one parent said about Chow’s response to the young girl’s disclosure.

Grooming Allegations Were First Reported in 2018

Gardner’s former employer, Candi Workman, reported what she described as “grooming behavior” to a USA Gymnastics attorney in January 2018. Despite these troubling claims, Gardner passed a background check and moved on to Chow’s Gymnastics, a top-tier USA Gymnastics-affiliated program.

Gardner’s coaching responsibilities increased even as parents expressed alarm. In 2019, multiple families met with Chow to voice concerns, but the gym’s actions remained minimal and reactive.

SafeSport Delayed Action Until 2022

The U.S. Center for SafeSport—established to prevent further failures like those seen in the Nassar case—received a sexual abuse complaint against Gardner in 2022 and issued a temporary suspension. Only then was he finally barred from coaching.

Despite this, it took another three years before the FBI arrested Gardner. He is now accused of, among other crimes, installing a hidden camera to record girls as young as six undressing in the gym bathroom.

Institutions Failed to Protect Children

This case is yet another tragic example of systemic failure. SafeSport, USA Gymnastics, local police, and even parents’ warnings were not enough to stop Gardner early on.

“This is the same type of behavior where girls aren’t believed... It’s multiple institutions failing to act with the urgency that child safety demands,” said attorney Megan Bonanni, who helped secure a $138.7 million settlement for Nassar’s victims.

Gymnastics facilities that once claimed to protect children have been accused of inaction, complicity, or cover-up. Chow’s Gymnastics released a public statement claiming it acted “promptly,” but the timeline of events suggests otherwise—and it has infuriated families who believe they were ignored for years.

Legal Help for Gymnastics Abuse Survivors in New York

At Survivors of Abuse NY, we stand with the brave gymnasts and families who have come forward. Sexual abuse within youth sports, especially by trusted coaches, is a devastating violation of trust.

If you or someone you know was abused by a gymnastics coach, spiritual advisor, or any institutional figure, you have rights. Survivors of Abuse NY, led by Thomas Giuffra, Esq. – The Abuse Lawyer NY, is experienced in representing victims of:

• Youth sports abuse

• Coaching misconduct

• Institutional negligence

• Sexual grooming and exploitation

We understand the long-lasting trauma caused by abuse—and the fear of not being believed.

Contact Thomas Giuffra, Esq. – The Abuse Lawyer NY

Contact (646) 413-6394 today for a free, confidential consultation. We’re here to listen, believe you, and fight for justice.

You don’t have to carry this alone. Let Survivors of Abuse NY help you take the next step toward healing and accountability.

Source: 

https://www.kcci.com/article/girls-parents-and-gym-owner-reported-concerns-about-gymnastics-coach-years-before-sex-abuse-case/65934223