Coach "Rewards" 14-Year-Old With Malibu Rum

A 22-year-old Long Island gymnastic coach was charged with unlawfully dealing with a child and endangering the welfare of a child for allegedly giving a 14-year-old student a bottle of Malibu Rum. Steven Lamensdorf apparently gave the teen the rum as a "reward" for executing a difficult move. The teen drank so much of the rum that she had to go to the ER WCBS 2's Lou Young (who explains,"The coconut-flavored booze is popular among underage drinkers because it's sweet") got a statement from Lamensdorf's boss at Spins Gymnastics Academy: "He has said he got pressured into it by being repeatedly asked and thought if I do it this once it will be over and done with. He had a momentary, absolutely bizarre lapse in judgment." Still, a parent said, "He should've known better, he's the adult."

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By Jen Chung in News on April 1, 2009 12:18 PM

Comments [rss]

savymama

This was stupid and the coach will suffer the consequences for years to come. But please, do not dare accuse him of seedy motives or infer than anything sexual was going on. That was absolutely not a factor in this case. NOTE the very low bail ($500)---had there been any doubt about this, he would have been held on a high bail. There are no such accusations and it is unfair to slander him with such ninuendo. He is a decent guy who made a bad decision. This girl should not have been at a party were there was booze and should not have asked for this present, (the bottle) which she, supposedly had been requesting for awhile. She was not a sweet innocent, non drinking girl. I have 2 young daughters and they absolutely would have walked out of such a party, though would never have gone there to begin with. 14 is too young to be at anything other than a well supervised small get together. She should have know better than to drink at all, and she drank A LOT, and was not an innocent little thing. Steven is a decent guy who used poor judgment. His employer basically stated this. Unfortunately, he is an adult and will be, ultimately, responsible for the poor decision he made. I am glad the girl survived her binge drinking, for her sake and for Steven's.

robingee

The coach was pressured by 14-year old girls?

Clarice City

"Steven Lamensdorf apparently gave the teen the rum as a 'reward' for executing a difficult move."

...and said, "now try it with rum."

NannyState

It always starts with Malibu Rum...and ends with a particularly nasty "pommel horse routine".

schizofriendly

Many of my male friends admit to feeling criminal just watching little gymnastic girls on TV, let alone plying them with hooch.

gossipgirl

Ahh, Malibu Rum. How I used to love thee.

Jen S

My sister is 14, and I don't trust her with anything...devious little shit.

Smitty025

"The coconut-flavored booze is popular among underage drinkers because it's sweet"

How do people come up with this stuff? It's popular more because it has alcohol in it, not because it tastes sweet. That's why all the shitty beers sell so much, the underage market is a goldmine.