University, has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for inappropriately touching female athletes under the guise of medical treatment. Shaw pleaded guilty in August to unlawfully touching the breasts and buttocks of four students without their consent and without any valid medical reason between 2017 and 2020. In addition to his role as the director of sports medicine, Shaw served as the head athletic trainer at SJSU, responsible for treating injuries sustained by student athletes. He acknowledged that he abused his position of authority to mistreat the athletes, and prosecutors emphasized that his actions were not the result of a mistake, carelessness, or accident.

U.S. Attorney Patrick Robbins commented, “Scott Shaw was entrusted to care for athletes in the California State University system. Instead, he used his power over female athletes to violate their civil rights by sexually groping them without their consent and without any medical justification.” FBI Special Agent In Charge Robert Tripp commended the athletes for their courage in coming forward, stating that Shaw’s breach of trust was reprehensible, and their bravery prevented further harm to others.

Shaw officially pleaded guilty to two counts of deprivation of rights under color of law. In addition to the prison sentence, he will have to pay a fine of $15,000 and a hearing will take place on Feb. 6 to determine issues related to restitution, prosecutors said.  

Shaw has been ordered to surrender on or before March 6 to begin serving his prison term.