(STORY IMAGE:KHQ.COM)
SPOKANE, Wash. -A former volleyball player for Washington State University says Jason Gesser made sexual advances toward her during a charity event for the athletic department.
"I thought I did something wrong, I thought that I could hurt their family," said Alyssa Wold-Bodeau. "So I chose to hide it, I chose to bury it, and I thought if it was just me and I only knew about it I could just deal with it and move on to protect them."
Wold- Bodeau, 27, told the Spokesman-Review that Gesser, a former quarterback for WSU, tried to force himself on her at a golf tournament for the Cougar Athletic Fund in 2015. She says he tried kissing her multiple times despite being told no, and that he eventually tried putting his hands up her dress.
"I haven't relived this moment in three years," said Wold-Bodeau. "And in the last 24-hours I've been reliving it over and over and over again. It's been a lot."
Wold-Bodeau's allegations come on the heels of a WSU student newspaper story published in The Daily Evergreen. The story documents several sexual misconduct allegations against Gesser, including inappropriate advances toward student interns and colleagues. Those allegations prompted a 2017 investigation by the WSU Office for Equal Opportunity. University officials ultimately cleared Gesser of any wrongdoing.
But Wold-Bodeau's official complaint, which was filed Monday, opened a new investigation.
"I want to make sure other girls know they’re not along and stand up and speak out," said Wold-Bodeau. "That's why I'm sharing my story. It's a big part of my healing right now."
But Wold-Bodeau says she learned about the previous allegations against Gesser after a friend texted her a link to The Daily Evergreen's story.
On Tuesday, Gesser resigned.
We reached out to Wold-Bodeau for a response, which reads:
“It’s been a long and difficult 48 hours, and an even more difficult three years. I’m extremely happy to see that Jason has resigned his position of influence and power at WSU. It’s a relief to know that no other young women will be subjected to Mr. Gesser's actions and abuse of power. I pray he gets the help he needs and that his family can move forward. I also pray that this event will serve to give encouragement to others. Staying silent is no longer an option. If my story resonates with you, come forward. Bring it to the light so that we all - as a community - can begin the healing process. And to my Coug nation; thank you so much for the support. You are an amazing family.”