Badminton coach busted in park with female student

A badminton coach arrested last week on suspicion of molesting a minor and sexual assault-related offenses is no longer working at the Menlo Park sports academy where he was a coach, company officials said.

Officials with Synergy Badminton Academy said in a statement on the company’s website:

“Khankham Malaythong, formerly a coach at the badminton academy, is no longer employed with the organization.”

The officials added:

“Synergy has cooperated with authorities in their investigation. … Synergy will not tolerate behavior that runs counter to its operating philosophy or that jeopardizes the well-being of people enrolled in badminton training at the academy.”

An investigation began at about 9 p.m. July 12 after Santa Clara County Park Rangers allegedly found Malaythong, 37, and a 17-year-old female student in his 2018 Maserati SUV in Joseph Grant Park after the park closed.

Santa Clara County sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Reginald Cooks said officials could not provide further details about the nature of the alleged offenses.

Malaythong was booked into the Santa Clara County jail after his arrest. Sheriff’s officials said Malaythong posted bail and was released.

Malaythong is a six-time winner of the U.S. National Badminton Championships in doubles and a 2008 U.S. Summer Olympics competitor.

Deputies are asking anyone with information about the alleged offenses, or any other victims, to call the sheriff’s detective unit at (408) 808-4500.

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