SJSU's former sports medicine director pleads guilty to unlawfully sexually touching women athletes

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- San Jose State University's former director of sports medicine pleaded guilty to unlawfully touching women student-athletes in his capacity as an athletic trainer.

According to court documents, Scott Shaw admitted to violating the civil rights of four SJSU student-athletes by touching their breasts and buttocks without consent for a legitimate medical purpose.

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Documents show the conduct went on for three years on the university's campus and Shaw touched members of the women's water polo and soccer teams.

"Scott Shaw abused his position of trust and authority as a public university official to sexually assault female student-athletes who entrusted him with their medical care," said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. "No student-athlete should ever be subject to sexual harassment at the hands of their sports medicine director, coach or any other official at a college or university. This egregious conduct violates federal law, and the Justice Department will aggressively prosecute individuals who exploit their positions of authority to sexually abuse our community members. We stand with the survivors and thank them for their courage and willingness to support the government's prosecution of this defendant."

Shaw now faces up to 24 months in prison and a $100,000 fine in a case that closes a 10-year long scandal.

Stay with ABC7 News for the latest details on this developing story.