Olympic champ Lopez suspended amid misconduct allegations

Two-time Olympic champion Steven Lopez was temporarily suspended Monday by the U.S. Center for SafeSport and USA Taekwondo pending resolution of an investigation into sexual misconduct allegations. Lopez was already the subject of a SafeSport investigation that dates back more than a year and was under interim restrictions since June 19. But a lawsuit filed Friday against the U.S. Olympic Committee, USA Taekwondo and Lopez and his older brother and coach, Jean, revealed new information, said Stephen Hess, attorney for USA Taekwondo. “The disclosure of additional victims and violations that fall within the scope of SafeSport’s investigation,” Hess told USA TODAY when asked the reasoning for the suspension. The lawsuit, filed by four women, accuses the Lopez brothers, USOC and USA Taekwondo of sex trafficking. The USOC and USA Tae- kwondo had been aware since 1996 that the Lopez brothers were sexual predators, according to the lawsuit, but continued to send young women with them to competitions and camps across the world.