By Trend News Line 2024-04-14 13:59:41.
**Former Kentucky Swim Team Members Sue School, Alleging Sexual Assaults**
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In a shocking turn of events, two former members of the Kentucky swim team have filed a lawsuit against the university, former coach Lars Jorgensen, and athletic director Mitch Barnhart. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court, alleges sexual assaults, including rape, by Jorgensen and claims that the school purposefully ignored multiple reports of inappropriate sexual relationships within the program.
**Allegations of Sexual Assault**
The lawsuit, brought forth by former swimmer and assistant coach Briggs Alexander and a woman identified as Jane Doe, accuses Jorgensen of creating a toxic and sexually hostile environment within the swim program. Alexander claims that Jorgensen groomed him over several years, leading to sexual assaults and rape. The suit also alleges that Jorgensen made sexual comments and exerted control over Jane Doe.
**Additional Allegations and Lack of Response**
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The lawsuit also details allegations of violent assaults by Jorgensen against an assistant coach, identified as Jane Doe II. It further claims that former head coach Gary Conelly did not follow up on reports of misconduct by Jorgensen during his time at Toledo. The suit also accuses Barnhart of failing to investigate allegations and intentionally concealing them.
**Response from Jorgensen and Kentucky**
Jorgensen, who did not respond to requests for comment, denied the allegations through The Athletic. Conelly also did not respond to requests for comment but stated that it is not uncommon for coaches to have relationships with former swimmers. Kentucky spokesman Jay Blanton confirmed that Jorgensen is no longer employed by the university and emphasized that the school takes sexual assault allegations seriously.
**Allegations at Toledo and Hiring at Kentucky**
The lawsuit alleges that Kentucky was aware of reports from Toledo assistant coach Mark Howard, who described Jorgensen as a sexual predator. Despite these reports, the suit claims that Kentucky chose to hire Jorgensen and did not follow up on allegations during his tenure as head coach. Jorgensen resigned last June after being suspended for an NCAA violation.
**SafeSport Involvement and University Response**
SafeSport, an organization that investigates allegations of sexual abuse, added Jorgensen to a disciplinary database in November. Kentucky stated that it takes concerns raised by employees seriously and reviews them before making hiring decisions. The university emphasized its commitment to addressing allegations of harassment or misconduct.
**Conclusion**
The lawsuit sheds light on disturbing allegations of sexual assault within the Kentucky swim program. As the legal proceedings unfold, the university faces scrutiny for its handling of the situation. The impact of these allegations on the school’s athletic department and the broader university community remains to be seen. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story..
Former Kentucky swimmers sue ex-coaches, AD Mitch Barnhart, alleging ‘sexually hostile environment’.
