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A temporary suspension placed on two prominent fencing coaches in Dublin was lifted last month, enabling the couple to resume teaching at a studio in the city following the dismissal of all criminal charges against the duo.
Bogdan Dolzhenko, a former Ukraine National Fencing Team member, and his wife Jeanne Amistoso were temporarily barred from teaching at Prime Fencing Academy beginning Jan. 16 by the sport’s regulatory organization USA Fencing. The couple’s membership with USA Fencing was also suspended along with their ability to participate in organization-sanctioned events.
The couple was accused of committing labor violations and faced criminal charges filed by the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office Jan. 5, including 12 counts against Dolzhenko as well as four felonies and one misdemeanor against Amistoso related to failing to properly pay immigrant instructors they recruited to the Bay Area from Eastern Europe. The couple also faced special allegations.
Both defendants denied all claims through their legal representation and the case was ultimately dropped Feb. 24 with the DA’s office citing insufficient evidence to proceed.
“We are not at all surprised by USA Fencing’s reinstatement on March 12,” attorney Julia Jayne said on behalf of the club. “Now Jeanne and Bogdan can go back to doing what they love: providing quality instruction and fostering a love of the sport of fencing through its top-level coaches and state-of-the-art facility.”
Per the USA Fencing appeal process, its decisions are rooted in legal actions instead of independent investigations.
Following the March 12 hearing, USA Fencing officials told Pleasanton Weekly, “The temporary measures previously in place — including the suspension of their memberships and restriction from coaching at Prime Fencing Academy or participating in USA Fencing sanctioned events — are no longer in effect.”
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