Ex-Arizona swim coach allegedly recorded teenage girls in locker room
A former youth swim coach was arrested Monday for allegedly filming teenage girls undressing in an Arizona locker room.
David Laudati, 41, was detained by US Marshals in Connecticut and charged with 11 counts of voyeurism and eight counts of attempted voyeurism after police discovered his sick recordings during a September 2023 investigation in the Grand Canyon State.
The perverted plot came to light in September 2023, when a parent of one of Laudati’s swimmers told police the coach was spying on girls after practice in Buckeye, Arizona — where Laudati lived before moving to Connecticut, officials said.
The 14-year-old girl was changing out of her swim suit after a training session with the Arizona Dolphins club team when she noticed a camera in the bathrooms of the Center on Main recreation facility, according to Buckeye officials.
Laudati had placed his recording cell phone in the mesh pocket of his backpack, which he then positioned on top of a changing table to have a view of the changing room, officials allege.
The discovery sparked a raid on Laudati’s home — where they found “several photos showing female minors partially undressed or nude in the Center on Main restroom and the Litchfield Park Recreation Center locker room.”
Three of the victims were between the ages of 14 and 17, police said.
At the time Laudati allegedly carried out the disturbing offenses, he was coaching for the Arizona Dolphins and at Millenium High School in Goodyear.
He was suspended from the high school gig in September 2023 and fired as the investigation dragged on, according to the Agua Fria School District.
“This situation emphasizes why our District continues to focus on safety as a top priority. As the
new school year begins, please know we will diligently follow our policy and practices to protect
our students,” Superintendent Mark Yslas told parents in an email.
“Our thoughts are with the victims and their families, who are navigating through this difficult
time. Out of respect for those involved, please exercise compassion and sensitivity with this
information.”
Following a months-long investigation, Laudati was indicted by a grand jury on July 16.
He appeared in New Britain Superior Court on Tuesday where a judge set his bond at $75,000. He is awaiting extradition to Arizona.
“These are serious allegations,” an attorney for the state said. “The defendant’s currently facing 19 felony offenses out of Arizona.”
The Arizona Dolphins did not respond to The Post’s request for comment.
His former employer, Mandell JCC of Greater Hartford, told NBC News in a statement, “This individual was last employed by the Mandell JCC in 2019, when he left for a new job in Arizona. We are not aware of any improprieties during his time with us. Our top priority is and remains the safety and well-being of our community.”
