SYRACUSE -- A legendary Syracuse area Karate and Mixed Martial Arts instructor found dead inside his Florida home was facing multiple sexual abuse accusations.
Police documents released Thursday show accusations of sexual abuse against Steve LaVallee. Some of the alleged incidents happened in Onondaga County. At least one happened in 2005 involving a 13 or 14 year old.
Onondaga County Sheriff Kevin Walsh confirms statute of limitations passed, so no charges could be filed. He also confirmed there were other similar accusations against LaValle in the Syracuse area.
The Ft. Laurderdale Police report also mentions a Florida man claimed LaVallee put his hands into his shorts and touched his private parts.
The alleged incident happened May 23, 2011 when LaVallee was giving the man a massage. Documents show the man tried to push LaVallee's hand away from his groin area before leaving. The location of the alleged incident is blacked out in the police report.
The alleged victim claims LaVallee then called him soon after, saying he was bi-curious, and if the man reported the incident to police, it would ruin his reputation. The alleged victim then told his parents what happened, according to the police report.
A police report was not filed until December 16, 2011 after LaValle had been confronted by members of his staff following a convention in Tennessee. LaValle says he didn't do anything wrong since the alleged victim was at least 18 years old.
Documents show LaVallee offered the man $250 to "do the right thing" during a taped phone conversation with the alleged victim.
The report mentions a second possible victim, but no charges would have been filed because the statute of limitations had expired.
A Florida Assistant State Attorney informed LaValle's attorney on June 8 that battery charges would be filed and that LaValle would be issued a summons.
On June 11, LaValle was found dead in his Florida apartment after hanging himself, according to police.
