A Mississippi gymnastics business facing explosive allegations of sexual harassment has agreed to pay $50,000 to resolve a federal lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on behalf of a former teenage coach, according to newly filed court documents.

The Title VII sexual harassment suit, targeting Intrepid Gymnastics LLC, accuses the company’s co-owner, Austin Hall, of repeatedly propositioning then-employee Ashlyn Mueller—and other underage staff—for sex. On Wednesday, the EEOC and the company asked a Mississippi federal court to approve a consent decree to settle the case and implement sweeping reforms, should the business reopen post-bankruptcy.

“The parties stipulate the terms of this decree are fair, reasonable, adequate, and serve the public interest in eradicating a hostile work environment,” the agreement states, though it emphasizes that the decree does not amount to an admission of guilt or liability.

A Gym Turned Predator’s Playground?

The EEOC filed suit in September, claiming Intrepid Gymnastics operated tumbling and cheer classes for kids aged 3 to 18, while employing largely part-time female staff aged 18 and 19—including Mueller, who started working at just 15 years old in 2018.

According to the EEOC, the harassment began in April 2022, shortly after Mueller turned 19. Hall, one of the business’s co-owners, allegedly subjected her to a barrage of sexual propositions—offering money for sex, requesting nude photos, and even appearing uninvited at her car at night.

Among the most jarring allegations: Hall offered $2,000 for sex, asked about rates for threesomes, and admitted to having sex with a 17-year-old, a claim reportedly corroborated by the teen to law enforcement. Mueller resisted every advance.

Retaliation and Resignation

When Mueller reported the harassment in July 2022, another coach attempted to escalate the complaint—only to resign shortly after. Mueller soon followed. The EEOC’s complaint further alleges that Hall made similar inappropriate advances toward other female employees, frequently questioning them about their sex lives and making unwanted propositions.

Terms of the Settlement

While Intrepid Gymnastics has filed for bankruptcy, the nonmonetary terms of the consent decree will apply for three years if the business reopens—either under its current name or a new one.

Key provisions include:

• Implementation of a sexual harassment policy

• A formal complaint and response procedure

• Mandatory biannual employee training

• Clear guidelines on Title VII protections

Silence from the Key Players

Attorneys for the EEOC, Intrepid Gymnastics, and Austin Hall have not responded to requests for comment.

The EEOC is represented by Faye A. Williams, Gary Sullivan, Roslyn Griffin Pack, and Sarah Howard Jenkins.
Intrepid Gymnastics is represented by Zachary B. Busey and Whitney M. Dowdy of Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz PC.

A Cautionary Case in Youth Sports Employment

As organizations nationwide grapple with the intersection of youth employment and workplace safety, this case serves as a harrowing reminder of how power imbalances can become pipelines for abuse—and how even gym mats can mask predation.