Dec 5, 2005 6:57 pm US/Central
Gymnastics Coach Gets 20 Years For Molesting Girls
Defense Attorneys Wanted Him To Only Receive Probation
by Mike Puccinelli
WHEATON (CBS) ―
A former gymnastics coach has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for fondling seven girls at his mother's Aurora gymnasium, the American Institute of Gymnastics.
Twenty-nine-year-old Michael Cardamone was convicted of nine counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse in March. He is accused of sexually abusing the young gymnasts at the American Institute of Gymnastics in Aurora, the facility his family owns.
Prosecutors requested a minimum of 35 years for Cardamone in their closing arguments. Defense attorneys asked that he be placed on probation.
Cardamone was charged with predatory criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse. Prosecutors accuse him of inappropriately touching the girls during stretching exercises and in a private room at the institute, where he coached for nine years.
But as CBS 2's Mike Puccinelli reports, Michael Cardamone's family is still supporting him and saying he's innocent.
His mother was in court Monday, saying the case against Cardamone is based on a "mountain of lies," and accuses the judge of being in the pocket of the DuPage County prosecutor.
But the mothers of the victims were also in court Monday and said no one has come to their daughters' defense other than the state. They also say they have been harassed by the Cardamone family throughout the trial, and are calling on lawmakers to draft legislation that would prevent harassment in the future.
Cardamone walked into the court room Monday and smiled at his wife and child, but a half hour later the judge slapped him with a 20-year prison term for sexually abusing seven girls, ages 7 to 12.
DuPage County State's Attorney Joe Birkett says the stiff sentence for the former gymnastics coach was appropriate.
"Is Michael Cardamone a pedophile? Yes, he is. And he is sentenced to 20 years in the Department of Corrections for being that type of a despicable monster," Birkett said.
The judge and Birkett called Cardamone a danger to the community, in part for showing no remorse.
Cardamone's sister addressed that. "Would you show remorse if you didn't do something?" Alysha Millard said.
Six coaches from the Aurora gymnastics school where the abuse took place also showed support for their former colleague.
"If we miss something, someone sees it. Michael did not do any of this," said Sandy Houston.
But the 10 mothers who say their daughters' lives will be forever altered by the sexual abuse spoke up as well.
"We are thankful that the criminal justice system supported our daughters and removed a dangerous and predatory individual from society," said one mother.
But Cardamone's wife says her husband isn't a predator, but an innocent man who could be locked up for at least 8 years. She read a statement from her husband where he said his heart is with his wife and children.
"Eight years from now, my boys will be 9 and 10 years old," said Liz Cardamone. "And I'm going to have to explain to them why their daddy has been gone for so long."
Cardamone is expected to appeal. A hearing has been set for next month.
(© MMV, CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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