John Bitter, Former Santa Clara Coach, Arraigned on Embezzlement Charges

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Photo Courtesy: Andy Ross

Former Santa Clara Swim Club coach John Bitter has been arraigned on multiple felony charges.

Charges include aggregate theft and embezzlement, the Silicon Valley Business Journal reports.

Bitter allegedly misappropriated at least $600,000 from the elite swim training center, according to court documents.

According to the deputy district attorney for the County of Santa Clara, Bitter is in custody.

A plea hearing is set to take place at 9 a.m. on June 20 in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, to be overseen by Judge Socrates Manoukian, according to the Court’s website.

Bitter was relieved of his duties after the club learned of financial irregularities. A letter was sent out to the members of SCSC on Saturday indicating that over $600,000 was misappropriated.

Bitter was also the former Chairman for the Pacific Swimming Local Swim Committee and former Vice-Chair of Program Development for USA Swimming.

Over the course of his 30 years in the coaching profession, Bitter had the opportunity to train, develop, and establish swimmers and programs throughout the United States. He came to SCSC in September of 1995 as the Associate Head Coach, under Dick Jochums. Working with Jochums, SCSC went on to win two National titles for men and one national title combined.

Following the retirement of Jochums in December of 2006, Bitter was elevated to the position of Head Coach of Santa Clara Swim Club. In that position, the club saw tremendous growth in terms of both performance and number of swimmers and programs offered to the swimming community. In September of 2009, John was also given the title of CEO of the organization.

Read the full Silicon Valley Business Journal report here.

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sfsgtr

4 years ago

Dick Jochums as a role model…figures.

Bob

4 years ago

Reply to sfsgtr

I go way back with Jochums. A super want-to-be!!!! He got lucky w/ a few great swimmers, but, his coaching was brainless, just, huge yardage all the time.

Bob

4 years ago

Reply to Bob

I never thought it was huge yardage but the intervals were really tight. The motivation was often very negative on the deck.