USA Swimming CFO Cory Hilliard arrested for allegedly embezzling Colorado athletics cash

USA Swimming put CFO Cory Hilliard on go away Monday following his arrest on allegations he embezzled practically $10,000 whereas working for the University of Colorado’s athletics program.

Boulder police said in a statement asserting the arrest that the Boulder District Attorney’s Office has filed felony prices of theft and embezzlement of public property, in addition to a misdemeanor cost of first-degree official misconduct.

Hilliard served because the administrator of Colorado’s Nike Elite program from 2021 to 2025, managing funds from the sportswear large’s program to offer highschool athletes with mentorship and tools.

As a part of his function, Hilliard was tasked with “managing employee product benefit allocations.” However, investigators allege Hilliard stole $9,510.50 for his private use, a violation that Colorado’s athletics program uncovered by means of an inner 2025 audit.

“This morning, we became aware that Cory Hilliard was arrested on charges of financial impropriety related to his time with the University of Colorado Boulder Athletic Department,” USA Swimming mentioned in a press release to The Athletic. “We immediately placed Cory on leave and terminated all access to any company data and financial controls. We are now conducting an investigation.”

A spokesperson for Colorado’s athletics division mentioned the college had no remark past the DA’s announcement.

This is USA Swimming’s second hiring scandal in as a few years. The group employed Chrissi Rawak, the previous athletics director at Delaware, as its new CEO in February 2025. Nine days later, Rawak pulled out from the function after USA Swimming found she had not disclosed a report involving her from the U.S. Center for SafeSport, which investigates abuse and misconduct in athletics.

Fallout from the Rawak misstep rippled throughout the swimming group, together with from 23-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps, who known as for “systemic change” inside USA Swimming. Kevin Ring, previously the president of sports activities advertising agency Legends of Golf, took over as CEO in September 2025. USA Swimming has not but introduced a plan to switch Hilliard.