SerpApi.Org
ANN ARBOR, MI - The case against a former figure skating coach in Ann Arbor accused of criminal sexual misconduct has been dropped.
The Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office dropped the case against Steven Pottenger on June 29, the day he was set to go to trial on two charges of fourth-degree criminal sexual misconduct involving someone at least 13 and younger than 16, court records show.
The prosecutor’s office dropped the charge after further investigation showed there wasn’t enough evidence to complete a trial, according to Victoria Burton-Harris, chief assistant prosecutor with the prosecutor’s office. Pottenger had waived his preliminary examination in November 2024.
“This case simply made no sense,” said William Amadeo, Pottenger’s Ann Arbor-based attorney.
Pottenger was never alone with his alleged victim and there were cameras at the rink, Amadeo said.
“Steven was never guilty of anything, and I hope he gets his career back,” he said.
Pottenger did not respond to a request for comment.
The four-time U.S. medalist was suspended from the Ann Arbor Figure Skating club in 2024 after the allegations surfaced. Officials from the club, which meets at the Bigby Coffee Ice Cube, 2121 Oak Valley Drive in Pittsfield Township, declined to answer if Pottenger would be allowed to coach at the club again.
He is not listed among the coaches on the club’s website.
The U.S. Center for SafeSport, a nonprofit associated with the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, issued a temporary suspension to Pottenger in July 2024, citing allegations of misconduct. He was later listed ineligible to coach. Ineligibility can be rescinded upon the conclusion of criminal proceedings, according to the SafeSport website.
He was again listed as temporarily suspended as of July 22, 2026, with additional requirements of no contact. It is not clear exactly whom he is prevented from contacting.
SafeSport investigations differ from criminal investigations, which require evidence to outweigh a “reasonable doubt.” Instead, SafeSport require a “preponderance of evidence,” meaning it is more likely than not, according to the organization’s code.
SafeSport does not comment on individual cases, a representative told MLive.
Pottenger previously professed his innocence and declined to take plea deals, Amadeo said.
“The average person, whether they were guilty or not, would have taken some of the deals that were made,” Amadeo said. “Steven was not only protecting his innocence, but he was trying to protect his career.”
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