Independent Investigation on Berhalter released

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Sam Borden
@SamBorden
US Soccer has released the independent report conducted by Alston & Bird on the alleged domestic violence incident from 1992 involving Gregg Berhalter, as well as the Reyna family's interactions with Berhalter and the federation last year. Some thoughts as I read ...

Sam Borden
@SamBorden
Several witnesses say that Claudio Reyna would contact the federation on a "periodic" basis as far back as 2016 to "convey complaints" about the federation's treatment of Gio. Claudio attempted "to influence" decisions about Gio.

Sam Borden @SamBorden
12m
Investigators interviewed Earnie Stewart. According to Stewart, he had an hour-long phone conversation with Claudio and Danielle Reyna on December 11, in which they conveyed frustration w coverage of Berhalter's (not-so) veiled comments about Gio at the leadership conference.

Sam Borden @SamBorden
11m
In that conversation, Danielle Reyna said -- according to Stewart -- that Gregg Berhalter assaulted his then-girlfriend (now wife), Rosalind, in 1992. Berhalter "beat the s--- out of her," Danielle said, according to Stewart.

Sam Borden @SamBorden
8m
According to investigators, this is a summary of what happened between the Berhalters that night at Players, a bar in Chapel Hill: "They began to argue inside the bar; they left the
bar together and continued to argue; once outside, Mrs. Berhalter hit Mr. Berhalter in the face...

Sam Borden @SamBorden
9m
Mr. Berhalter pushed her to the ground and kicked her twice; Mr. Berhalter was tackled by a passerby,
not known to either of the Berhalters; and Mrs. Berhalter got up and left."

Sam Borden @SamBorden
7m
The investigators note, with veracity, the openness and clarity that both Berhalters offered in their interviews: "The Investigation did not uncover evidence that contradicts Mr. or Mrs. Berhalters’ account of the 1992 Incident in any material way."

Sam Borden @SamBorden
5m
The investigators say there is NO evidence indicating any other incidents of assault from Gregg Berhalter. "We conclude that the 1992 Incident was an isolated event, and we find no evidence to suggest that Mr.
Berhalter has engaged in similar misconduct at any other time."

Sam Borden @SamBorden
4m
In her first call with investigators, Danielle Reyna initially said she never told Earnie Stewart about the 1992 incident; in a second call, she "recanted" that statement and said she did tell Stewart. She added that she did not actually witness the 1992 incident.

Sam Borden
@SamBorden
The investigators write that Gregg Berhalter did nothing improper as it relates to disclosing this incident to US Soccer. He remains a candidate to return as USMNT coach and US Soccer said as much in its email releasing the report.

Sam Borden @SamBorden
19s
The investigators say the Reynas' actions do not rise to the legal level of "blackmail" or "extortion." They do say Claudio Reyna's actions, because of his position as an MLS official, may violate FIFA's ethics rules.

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