By Robert Haugh
A couple of weeks ago, John Bitter, the former CEO of the Santa Clara Swim Club, was charged with multiple felonies in Santa Clara County Superior Court. He allegedly misappropriated at least $600,000 from the organization.
Bitter was a leader in the Santa Clara Swim Club organization for decades. The Club has approximately 1,200 swimmers.
Bitter also helped former Councilmember Kevin Moore in his efforts to move the International Swimming Hall of Fame to Santa Clara from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. That move fell apart last summer when they decided to snub Santa Clara and stay in Florida, as we reported.
Bitter was arrested in Arizona and extradited back to Santa Clara County. He owns the Tipsy Coyote Bar & Grill in Scottsdale, Arizona. He will be back in court on June 20 for a plea hearing.
The news about Bitter’s firing by the swim club first broke last fall. Here’s what Swimming World reported:
“John Bitter was relieved of his duties as Head Coach and Chief Operating Officer for the Santa Clara Swim Club (SCSC) after the club learned of financial irregularities with its account according to multiple Swimming World sources. A letter was sent out to the members of SCSC on Saturday indicating that over $600,000 was misappropriated.”
We’ll continue to follow this story as it unfolds.
Crazy how this could even happen. A non existent board during his time there and they’ve all been left or promoted in their roles since. There should be a bit more cleaning of the house.
Cmon people! Kev is THE MAN who makes things happen. Who cares about freebies? With Kev running THE SHOW we got the NINERS! We could still get a HALL OF FAME! Kev should be in it too. He’s THE MAN! Go KEV!
If you really want to find sleaze … THE REAL STUFF … Look into Moore’s hanky panky with the 49ers and David’s Restaurant.
I can’t imagine what would have transpired if the giant concrete mega swim center was approved. Madoff- like…
I hope John Bitter serves time AND repays the money! He could sell his restaurant. He owes it to the kids! And how come Kevin Moore is in the middle of the all the sleazy stuff in town?!
Ya think we have a problem Houston? Let’s open the books on the Stadium and find out what’s going on there too?