Overview
- Two former trainees at Chow's Gymnastics in West Des Moines filed the first civil suits, alleging Sean Gardner sexually abused them and that national watchdogs failed to protect athletes.
- The filings say USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Center for SafeSport were alerted in December 2017 to Gardner’s alleged grooming behavior, yet he was hired at Chow’s in 2018 and additional complaints followed in 2020.
- The lawsuits also name founder Liang “Chow” Qiao, his wife Liwen Zhuan, and their businesses, alleging negligent hiring, inadequate checks, and continued employment despite complaints.
- SafeSport says it imposed restrictions in 2022 followed by a temporary suspension that was posted to its public database; Chow’s says it received notices without reasons and fired Gardner after the suspension.
- Gardner has pleaded not guilty to federal child‑pornography charges tied to a hidden bathroom camera in Mississippi, remains jailed with trial set next month, and the FBI has expanded its probe to Mississippi and Louisiana while asking other potential victims to come forward.