By Trend News Line 2024-04-14 00:28:03.
Former Kentucky Swim Team Members File Lawsuit Against School and Coaches
In a troubling turn of events, two former Kentucky swim team members have taken legal action against the school, former coach Lars Jorgensen, and athletic director Mitch Barnhart. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court by former swimmer and assistant coach Briggs Alexander and a woman known as Jane Doe, alleges a series of sexual assaults, including rape, by Jorgensen. The plaintiffs claim that the school ignored multiple reports of inappropriate sexual relationships, creating a toxic and hostile environment within the swim program.
You may also like to watch : Who Is Kamala Harris? Biography - Parents - Husband - Sister - Career - Indian - Jamaican Heritage
Allegations of Sexual Assault and Misconduct
According to the lawsuit, Jorgensen allegedly groomed Alexander over several years, creating a sexually hostile environment and ultimately sexually assaulting and raping him. The suit also accuses Jorgensen of grooming Jane Doe, making sexualized comments, and exerting control over her. Furthermore, the lawsuit claims that Jorgensen violently assaulted another assistant coach, identified as Jane Doe II, at a Christmas party in 2013.
Failure to Address Previous Misconduct
The lawsuit also implicates former head coach Gary Conelly for failing to address previous misconduct by Jorgensen during his tenure at Toledo. It alleges that Barnhart did not investigate allegations or follow up on reports, ultimately hiring Jorgensen despite knowledge of previous misconduct. Jorgensen has denied the allegations, while Conelly has not responded to requests for comment.
University Response and Legal Action
In response to the lawsuit, Kentucky spokesman Jay Blanton stated that Jorgensen is no longer employed by the university. The university emphasized its commitment to taking sexual assault allegations seriously but declined to comment on specific personnel matters. The lawsuit, first reported by The Athletic, highlights a pattern of alleged misconduct that went unaddressed by the university.
Continued Scrutiny and Legal Ramifications
The lawsuit also references reports from University of Toledo assistant coach Mark Howard, who raised concerns about Jorgensen’s behavior while at the school in Ohio. Despite receiving these reports, Kentucky allegedly chose to conceal the information and hired Jorgensen as an assistant coach in 2012. Jorgensen resigned in June following reports of a NCAA violation, and SafeSport added him to a disciplinary database for sexual abuse and misconduct.
You may also like to watch: Is US-NATO Prepared For A Potential Nuclear War With Russia - China And North Korea?
University Policies and Commitment to Accountability
Kentucky reiterated its commitment to addressing concerns raised by employees and potential employees, particularly regarding allegations of harassment or misconduct. The university’s policy calls for reporting such concerns to the Office for Institutional Equity and Equal Opportunity. The university emphasized the importance of supporting victims and complainants throughout any review process.
Final Thoughts
The lawsuit filed by former Kentucky swim team members sheds light on the serious allegations of sexual assault and misconduct within the program. As the legal proceedings unfold, the university faces scrutiny for its handling of the situation and its commitment to addressing allegations of harassment and misconduct. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of holding individuals and institutions accountable for creating safe and respectful environments for all members of the community..
“Former Kentucky swimmers sue ex-coaches”
“Alleging sexually hostile environment”.
