By Trend News Line 2024-04-14 14:00:42.
Former Kentucky Swim Team Members Sue School, Former Coach, and Athletic Director
Two former Kentucky swim team members have filed a lawsuit against the school, former coach Lars Jorgensen, and athletic director Mitch Barnhart, alleging sexual assaults, including rape by the former coach. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court by former swimmer and assistant coach Briggs Alexander and a woman identified only as Jane Doe, claims that the school “purposefully” disregarded multiple credible reports of inappropriate sexual relationships within the swim program.
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Allegations of Sexual Assault and Rape
According to the lawsuit, Kentucky empowered Jorgensen to create a toxic and sexually hostile environment within the swim program, allowing him to prey on, sexually harass, and commit horrific sexual assaults. Alexander, who now identifies as male, alleges that Jorgensen groomed him over several years, creating a sexually hostile environment that led to sexual assaults and rape. The suit also claims that Jorgensen groomed Jane Doe, making sexualized comments and exerting control over her.
Additional Allegations and Lack of Response
The lawsuit also alleges that Jorgensen assaulted an assistant coach, identified as Jane Doe II, starting with a Christmas party in 2013. It further accuses former head coach Gary Conelly of not following up on previous misconduct allegations against Jorgensen at Toledo. The suit claims that Barnhart did not investigate allegations or follow up on reports, ultimately hiring Jorgensen and intentionally concealing the allegations.
Denial and Response
Jorgensen denied the allegations, stating that they are not true. Conelly did not respond to messages but told The Athletic that he had contacted a former Toledo swimmer who had dated Jorgensen after her swimming career. Kentucky spokesperson Jay Blanton confirmed that Jorgensen is no longer employed by the university and stated that the university takes sexual assault allegations seriously.
Previous Reports and Actions
The lawsuit reveals that the athletic department received credible reports from a University of Toledo assistant coach about Jorgensen being a sexual predator while at the school in Ohio. These reports were not investigated, and Jorgensen was later hired by Kentucky. The suit also alleges that numerous allegations against Jorgensen during his tenure as head coach were either undocumented or ignored.
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Resignation and Settlement
Jorgensen resigned in June after being suspended for an NCAA violation. Kentucky and Jorgensen reached a $75,000 settlement, though it did not constitute an admission of fault or wrongdoing. SafeSport, an organization that investigates sexual abuse and misconduct, added Jorgensen to a disciplinary database in November.
University Response
Kentucky stated that it takes concerns raised by employees seriously and reviews them before hiring. The university policy calls for reporting allegations of harassment or misconduct to the Office for Institutional Equity and Equal Opportunity. The university emphasizes the importance of the well-being of its employees and students and offers support for victims or complainants during investigations.
In conclusion, the lawsuit against the former Kentucky swim coach and the university sheds light on the importance of addressing and investigating allegations of sexual assault and misconduct within athletic programs. It underscores the need for thorough responses to reports of inappropriate behavior and the protection of individuals within the sports community..
– Former Kentucky swimmers sue ex-coaches AD Mitch Barnhart alleging sexually hostile environment
– Former Kentucky swimmers sue ex-coaches AD Mitch Barnhart alleging sexually hostile environment.
