By Trend News Line 2024-04-14 13:59:41.
The Shocking Allegations Unveiled in Kentucky Swim Team Lawsuit
In a bombshell lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court, former Kentucky swim team members Briggs Alexander and Jane Doe have accused the school, former coach Lars Jorgensen, and athletic director Mitch Barnhart of heinous sexual assaults, including rape. The lawsuit paints a disturbing picture of a toxic and sexually hostile environment within the swim program.
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A Tale of Grooming and Assault
Alexander, who now identifies as male, alleges that Jorgensen spent years grooming him before sexually assaulting and raping him. The lawsuit also details how Jorgensen allegedly preyed on Jane Doe, making sexualized comments and exerting control over her. Furthermore, it is claimed that the ex-coach violently assaulted an assistant coach, identified as Jane Doe II, at a staff Christmas party.
Allegations of Negligence
The lawsuit also implicates former head coach Gary Conelly and athletic director Mitch Barnhart, accusing them of turning a blind eye to previous misconduct by Jorgensen. It is alleged that Conelly did not follow up on reports of Jorgensen’s behaviour at Toledo, while Barnhart reportedly did not investigate allegations and hired Jorgensen despite knowing about the accusations.
University’s Response
In response to the allegations, a statement from Kentucky spokesman Jay Blanton confirmed that Jorgensen is no longer employed by the university. The statement also emphasized the university’s commitment to taking sexual assault allegations seriously, although specific personnel matters were not discussed.
Previous Reports Ignored
The lawsuit reveals that the university received credible reports from University of Toledo assistant coach Mark Howard about Jorgensen’s alleged predatory behaviour during his time at the Ohio school. Despite these reports, Kentucky chose to hire Jorgensen and allegedly ignored subsequent allegations made against him during his tenure as head coach.
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Resignation and Settlement
Jorgensen resigned last June following reports of a NCAA violation, and a $75,000 settlement was reached between him and Kentucky. However, the agreement did not constitute an admission of fault by either party. SafeSport, an organization that investigates sexual abuse in sports, added Jorgensen to a disciplinary database last November.
University’s Commitment to Safety
Kentucky reiterated its commitment to addressing concerns raised by employees and potential employees, emphasizing the importance of reporting allegations of harassment or misconduct to the appropriate channels. The university stated that the well-being of all employees and students is a top priority, and that victims or complainants have the option to participate in investigations of this nature.
In light of these shocking allegations, the Kentucky swim team lawsuit serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining a safe and respectful environment within athletic programs. The repercussions of such misconduct can have lasting effects on the victims and the community as a whole..
Former Kentucky swimmers sue ex-coaches AD Mitch Barnhart alleging sexually hostile environment ABC Utah.
