By Trend News Line 2024-04-14 13:59:41.
Former Kentucky Swim Team Members File Lawsuit Alleging Sexual Assault
Two former members of the Kentucky swim team have taken legal action against the school, former coach Lars Jorgensen, and athletic director Mitch Barnhart. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court, accuses Jorgensen of sexual assaults, including rape, and claims that the school ignored multiple reports of inappropriate sexual relationships.
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Allegations of Sexual Assault and Harassment
The lawsuit, brought by former swimmer and assistant coach Briggs Alexander and an anonymous woman known as Jane Doe, alleges that Jorgensen created a sexually hostile environment within the swim program. Alexander claims that he was groomed by Jorgensen and subjected to sexual assault and rape. Jane Doe also accuses the former coach of making sexual comments and exerting control over her.
Failure to Address Previous Allegations
The lawsuit further claims that former head coach Gary Conelly and athletic director Mitch Barnhart failed to address previous allegations of misconduct by Jorgensen. Conelly allegedly did not follow up on reports of misconduct during Jorgensen’s time at Toledo, while Barnhart allegedly ignored emails about the allegations and hired Jorgensen without investigating them.
Response from Jorgensen and University of Kentucky
Jorgensen has denied the allegations, stating that none of them are true. The University of Kentucky confirmed that Jorgensen is no longer employed by the university and stated that they take sexual assault allegations seriously. However, they did not comment on specific personnel issues.
Previous Allegations at University of Toledo
The lawsuit also details allegations made against Jorgensen during his time at the University of Toledo. Mark Howard, an assistant coach at Toledo, reportedly informed school officials that Jorgensen was a sexual predator who could not be trusted around young women. However, these allegations were not followed up on by Toledo officials.
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Concealment of Allegations
Instead of investigating the allegations, the lawsuit claims that the University of Kentucky chose to conceal them and hired Jorgensen as an assistant coach. The suit alleges that numerous reports of misconduct during Jorgensen’s tenure as head coach were either not documented or pursued by university officials.
Resignation and Settlement
Jorgensen resigned from his position at Kentucky last June after being suspended for an NCAA violation. The university reached a $75,000 settlement with Jorgensen, although it did not constitute an admission of fault by either party. SafeSport, an organization that investigates sexual abuse and misconduct, added Jorgensen to a disciplinary database.
University’s Response to Allegations
The University of Kentucky stated that it takes concerns raised by employees and potential employees seriously and reviews such concerns before hiring. The university’s policy calls for reporting allegations of harassment or misconduct to its Office for Institutional Equity and Equal Opportunity, emphasizing the importance of the well-being of all employees and students.
In conclusion, the lawsuit filed by former Kentucky swim team members sheds light on the serious allegations of sexual assault and harassment within the program. The legal proceedings will hopefully bring justice to the victims and ensure accountability for those responsible..
1. Former Kentucky swimmers sue ex-coaches alleging sexually hostile environment
2. Former Kentucky swimmers sue AD Mitch Barnhart for sexually hostile environment.
