Bill Jewell Under Investigation; Golden West President Retracts “All Clear”

HUNTINGTON BEACH, California, May 23. WITH former Fullerton Aquatics Sports Team and Golden West Swim Club employee Bill Jewell now under investigation by USA Swimming according to the OC Register, Golden West College president Wes Bryan has retracted his initial comments regarding an investigation that cleared Jewell while he was working at the club.

Scott Reid of the Orange County Register reported recently that Jewell “faces a possible lifetime ban from the sport following a (scheduled) June 19 hearing.” Reid also reported that the investigation is related to “allegations of inappropriate behavior by Jewell toward underage female swimmers” at both FAST and the Golden West Swim Club.

These allegations likely stem from a wrongful termination lawsuit by Dia Rianda against Mark Schubert and the Golden West Swim Club. In her lawsuit, Rianda claims that she was terminated because of her repeated allegations against Jewell.

Golden West College and Golden West Swim Club are two separate entities. Bryan has clarified his initial statement saying that his investigation was limited to Golden West College and that Golden West Swim Club is a separate issue. USA Swimming is investigating allegations stemming from Jewell's involvement at the Golden West Swim Club.

Bryan's May 22 letter
Dear Board Members,

The purpose of this letter is to provide clarification to the comments in my letter dated November 30, 2012 pertaining to the investigation which I authorized on behalf of Golden West College regarding Mark Schubert and Bill Jewell, because the intent of my comments apparently may have been misinterpreted or misconstrued.

My comments were intend to be directed solely and exclusively to the activities at Golden West College, and indeed, the primary focus of the investigation from the beginning was on Golden West College, not the Golden West Swim Club. Moreover, at the time that I wrote that letter, I was not aware of some factual information that has been brought to my attention relating to certain actions that may have occurred at the Club. I certainly did not intend to convey that the investigation was “extensive” or “complete' with respect to the Golden West Swim Club, and in fact, the investigation looked into the activities of the Golden West Swim Club merely tangentially because the Club only utilizes College facilities on a limited basis through a written agreement. Indeed, Golden West College has made no determination as to anything that may have occurred at the Golden West Swim Club outside of Golden West College pertaining to either Mark Schubert or Bill Jewell.

I regret if my letter may have inadvertently caused any harm or distress to Ms. Dia Rianda or to anyone else.

Sincerely,

Wes Bryan

Based on the standard time frame for these types of hearings, should the National Board of Review of USA Swimming rule against Jewell, the public should know by the middle of July if Jewell is tagged with a lifetime ban. Coaches have been banned for life on less egregious allegations than those included in Rianda's lawsuit. Should Jewell draw a lifetime ban and appeal it, the process could take well into the Fall.

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