Phoenix gymnastics centers owner accused of misconduct, suspended by USA Gymnastics

The Republic | azcentral.com

The owner of two Phoenix gymnastics and dance centers has been suspended by USA Gymnastics in connection with allegations of misconduct.

Daniel Witenstein, the owner of Arizona Sunrays Gymnastics and Dance Center, is on USA Gymnastics' list of suspended members pending a hearing. It was not immediately clear when the hearing would take place.

The entry on USA Gymnastics referenced bylaw 9.3, which outlines the process of reporting and investigating allegations of sexual misconduct as the reason for Witenstein's July 10 suspension. Details about the allegations were unavailable Friday.

Witenstein owns gymnastics centers in north Phoenix and Arcadia, which remain open for business. According to its website, Arizona Sunrays has provided more than 25 years of gymnastics programming for children as young as 6 months old.

According to previous reporting by The Arizona Republic, Witenstein has extensive national and international coaching experience.

A call to a number listed as Witenstein's went unanswered.

Kenzie Gassaway, general manager of the Arizona Sunrays, issued this statement Friday afternoon:

"We are aware of the allegation dating back to 1986 upon which SafeSport has imposed an interim sanction without notice or a hearing. We are not authorized to speak about this as it is an ongoing investigation. This matter is being dealt with quickly and we hope to have additional information for you in the near future. We give our full trust and support to Dan Witenstein and the Sunrays Family."

USA Gymnastics released a statement saying it could not comment publicly on membership matters "unless an action taken involves a public result, such as being placed on the list of individuals whose membership is suspended or who is permanently ineligible for membership."

"The membership of Dan Witenstein was suspended at the direction of the U.S. Center for SafeSport," the statement said.

A Phoenix police official declined to say whether there were any open investigations regarding Witenstein. Sgt. Armando Carbajal, a Phoenix police spokesman, said the Phoenix Police Department does not release the names of people who may be subject of criminal investigation until they have been booked into jail and formally charged.

USA Gymnastics earlier this year suspended Alex Naddour, a 2016 Olympic bronze medalist from Queen Creek.

It's the second time this year that USA Gymnastics has placed an Arizonan on the suspended list. Alex Naddour, a 2016 Olympic bronze medalist from Queen Creek, was suspended in June in connection with allegations of misconduct. He also is awaiting a hearing.

USA Gymnastics has been embroiled in a sexual abuse scandal regarding former women's national team physician Larry Nassar, convicted earlier this year of sexual assault and now in prison.

More than 140 survivors of Nassar's abuse accepted the Arthur Ashe Courage Award on behalf of all those who were sexually abused by him Wednesday night at the 2018 ESPYs in Los Angeles.

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