INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 3, 2016 – USA Gymnastics announced today that Deborah J. Daniels, managing partner of Indianapolis-based Krieg DeVault LLP and a former federal prosecutor, has been hired to conduct an independent review of USA Gymnastics’ bylaws, policies, procedures and practices related to handling sexual misconduct matters. Daniels will consult with a variety of experts and organizations representing law enforcement, child welfare, the gymnastics community, state and local officials, and others, and a final recommendation will be provided to the USA Gymnastics Board of Directors.
“Deborah’s background makes her the right choice to lead this important effort because the well-being of our athletes is paramount,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. “We believe Deborah’s review of our current practices against today’s standards in this critical area, coupled with interviewing members of the gymnastics community and authorities in related areas, will generate recommendations on what needs refinement to further promote athlete safety.”
“Nothing is more important than the safety of all athletes and young people,” said Daniels, whose prior local prosecution and Justice Department experiences include a significant focus on child physical and sexual abuse. “This evaluation is intended to review and strengthen the existing USA Gymnastics process, in addition to likely yielding important insights for other youth-serving organizations.”
Daniels, who became managing partner in 2015, has practiced law with Krieg DeVault for 16 years. She has served as both a U.S. Attorney and U.S. Assistant Attorney General, as well as having supervised the sex offense and child abuse unit of the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office in her role as Chief Counsel to the Prosecutor. Daniels had responsibilities at the U.S. Department of Justice ranging from the U.S. response to the September 11 attack to issues directly related to the prevention and prosecution of child abuse. She also served as the first National Amber Alert coordinator. She currently provides counsel to public and private sector clients on a variety of topics, including public safety and compliance.
Among her professional associations are the National Center for State Courts (Board of Directors), United Way of Central Indiana (secretary), the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee (Board of Directors), and the University of Indianapolis (Board of Trustees). She has recently served the Forensic and Investigative Sciences Program at Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis (Board of Visitors) and the Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County (Board of Trustees). Daniels received her Doctor of Law degree from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law (1977) and her Bachelor of Arts degree from DePauw University (1973).