ELIZABETHTOWN, N.Y. - A New York Supreme Court judge will not decide until at least today whether to grant embattled U.S. skeleton coach Tim Nardiello's request to have his suspension temporarily overturned, a delay that hurts his chance of joining the U.S. team at a World Cup race this weekend.
Essex County Supreme Court Judge James Dawson listened to 75 minutes of arguments in court Monday, and said he needed time to make a decision, which attorneys said was likely to come by e-mail and fax today.
Nardiello has been suspended since Dec. 31 after two allegations of sexual harassment were filed with the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation. The national skeleton team competes in a World Cup event in Germany this weekend, and Nardiello hoped to travel there today.
Nardiello and his attorney, James Brooks, left court without commenting. The delay frustrated USBSF president Jim Shea Sr., who was hoping the hearing would result in a quick resolution.
"I want to see this thing go forward," Shea said. "I don't think it's fair to Tim. I don't think it's fair to the athletes."
The USBSF told Dawson it believes the court does not have jurisdiction, and is offering him an expedited hearing or a chance for arbitration. But USBSF legal counsel Dan Goodwin said the earliest a hearing could happen is Thursday - the day the World Cup opens in Germany.
The USBSF investigated and eventually suspended Nardiello after Marsha Gale, the mother of 2002 Olympic gold medalist Tristan Gale. and Felicia Canfield made allegations of sexually inappropriate comments and actions against Nordiello.
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