Former U.S.A. snowboard coach Peter Foley has been suspended from the sport for 10 years after an 18-month investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and other violations.

The U.S. Center for SafeSport handed down the suspension this week.

Foley was fired by U.S. Ski and Snowboard last year and later sued by three former Team USA snowboarders, who have accused their former coach of sexual assault, harassment and infliction of emotional distress.

“Every young athlete deserves the dignity of training in a safe environment in pursuit of excellence in their sport. SafeSport’s decision to suspend Peter Foley for ten years, followed by 5 years probation, effectively puts him out of business and prevents him from doing more harm and damage,” Sigrid McCawley said, the lead attorney for the three snowboarders.

“This is a long awaited, incredible moment for the brave Olympic snowboarders we represent. But this decision also represents progress and empowerment for all young athletes and their families because it sends a clear signal that those who abuse young athletes will be held to account,” McCawley’s statement finished.

Foley was hired by USSS as the first head coach of the U.S. boardercross team in 1994. But during his nearly 20 years in charge of the program, former athletes and staffers said Foley created a toxic culture.

The lawsuit alleges, among other things, that Foley pinned one former snowboarder against an elevator wall after a race and tried to kiss her before she was able to run away, and that he sexually assaulted another athlete during a training camp when she was 19.

A separate lawsuit filed by a former U.S. Ski and Snowboard staffer alleges Foley coerced her into posing nude for photographs at a World Cup event in 2008.

The suits are still before a California court.

A member of U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s board of directors, Lisa Kosglow, also was suspended for “abuse of process” and “failure to report.”

“U.S. Ski & Snowboard strongly believes that there is no place in sport for abuse and misconduct, and we support the Center’s mission to end abuse on behalf of athletes everywhere,” the federation said in a statement.

— The Associated Press contributed to this report.