Accused Of Abuse, 2 Massachusetts Men Still Coaching Kids

WALPOLE, MA — Two Massachusetts men, including the owner of Rodman Arena in Walpole, are among the 20 coaches highlighted in an NBC News report about coaches who continue to work with kids after being accused of abuse and barred from participating in Olympic-affiliated events.

"Millions of American kids participate in youth sports every year, yet there are few safeguards to bar coaches with histories of abuse," NBC said in its report. "Youth coaches aren’t licensed or regulated by government agencies, and the one federal governing body that does exist is limited in scope."

The report notes that while most states require schools to conduct extensive background checks of teachers and coaches, there are no such requirements for youth coaches. NBC noted the actual number of coaches who continue to work with kids after being banned by the U.S. Olympic Committee is likely much higher than the 20 identified in its report.

After initially being charged with multiple offenses in 2012, including use of a computer to seduce a child, Anthony DeSilva pleaded no contest to a single count of unlawful computer usage. He now runs Top Hockey in Acushnet, a youth hockey scouting agency.

Rodman Arena owner Robert Barletta, 51, pleaded not guilty to assault with intent to rape a female coach at a hockey camp last year. He also owns a team in a USA Hockey-affiliated youth league. "He didn’t do what he’s charged with doing," his attorney, Curt Bletzer, told NBC.

The charges against Barletta, 51, are pending, and he remains free on personal recognizance.

The victim told police she and another woman who worked at one of the summer hockey camps Barletta runs were sharing a basement bedroom to be closer to the rink. On Aug. 3, according to court documents, Barletta and a friend came home drunk from dinner with food for the women.

All four had several drinks, and when the victim went upstairs to look for Barletta, she found him in his bedroom. She told police he pushed her onto the bed and jumped on top of her, telling her "you're so [expletive] hot."

The woman was able to break free. She reported the incident to police three days later, telling them, "I thought I was going to be raped."