The Pittsburgh Penguins settled a federal lawsuit that was filed by former minor-league assistant coach Jarrod Skalde. Skalde accused the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of retaining a coach that sexually assaulted and harassed his wife, Erin.
According to the Associated Press, the lawyers for Jarrod and Erin Skalde announced that a settlement had been reached, but the terms were not disclosed.
"We are pleased that the Penguins organization worked with us to resolve this dispute so that Jarrod and his family can move on with their lives," Skalde attorney David Fish said in a statement.
The Penguins stated that the franchise took immediate action when they learned of the allegations back in 2019.
"The Penguins and Skaldes have agreed to resolve all claims," the Penguins said in a statement. "Through this resolution, the Penguins hope to bring closure to the Skaldes, provide some measure of peace and continue to encourage and promote a culture of openness, accountability and respect at all levels of professional sports."
Jarrod and Erin Skalde sued the Penguins last year in United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The Skaldes alleged that former Wilkes-Barre/Scranton coach Clark Donatelli molested Erin Skalde during a 2018 road trip.
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are the American Hockey League affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Jarrod Skalde also alleged that current Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin, who was the general manager for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton at the time, asked him to keep the reason for Donatelli's firing quiet. In addition, Skalde alleges that the organization terminated his position with the team as a result.
