James Pantera from California has been officially added to the USA Swimming list of Individuals Permanently Suspended or Ineligible.
Pantera, from California, was officially suspended on October 14th, though his suspension did not take effect until November 14th.
Pantera has many known aliases, including James Sabre Pantera, Robert Michael Binkin, James David Land, and James Wallace, that USA Swimming has listed along with his ban.
Pantera is the San Diego coach who was exposed by this San Diego news station, among many others, for felony federal charges for creating a new identity to falsify his educational records. He spent 9 months in prison on charges that included student loan fraud.
When interviewed earlier this year, Pantera accused former USA Swimming official Mike Salzstein of using the information to get revenge on Pantera after Pantera accused Salzstein of bullying.
Pantera served 9 months in prison, and when asked if he thought he should be coaching kids, he responded with an unequivocal ‘yes,’ saying that it was a “stupid mistake.”
It is important to note that while USA Swimming maintains only a single list for coaches who are ineligible for membership, and while the codes of conduct, cited below, are very broad and cover a wide range of offenses, we have received no indication that Pantera has ever been involved in any illicit drug usage or sexual misconduct of any kind.
304.3.6 Conviction of, imposition of a deferred sentence for, or any plea of guilty or no contest at any time, past or present, or the existence of any pending charges, for (i) any felony, (ii) any offense involving use, possession, distribution or intent to distribute illegal drugs or substances, (iii) any crime involving sexual misconduct, or (iv) any criminal offense against a minor.
304.3.14: Any act of fraud, deception or dishonesty in connection with any USA Swimming-related activity
304.3.18 Any other material and intentional act, conduct or omission not provided for above, which is detrimental to the image or reputation of USA Swimming, a LSC or the sport of swimming.
