Two former Kentucky swimmers have filed a federal Title IX lawsuit against the University of Kentucky, its Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart, former swim coach Lars Jorgensen, and Gary Conelly, alleging years of sexual assault, abuse, and harassment. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, accuses Jorgensen of committing sexual violence and the university of complicity and deliberate indifference, which enabled a toxic, sexually hostile environment within the swim program. The allegations came to light after Kentucky announced Jorgensen's resignation last June without providing a reason, despite one former swimmer having reported the abuse to the school.
Kentucky AD Mitch Barnhart today on what he can say about this lawsuit: “I can’t. It’s under litigation. All I’d say: We always want to have safety for our student-athletes, our coaches and our staff, but other than that, I can’t say anything.” https://t.co/qzRzd36Xjw
Two former Kentucky swim team members have sued the school, former coach Lars Jorgensen and athletic director Mitch Barnhart, alleging sexual assaults including rape by the former coach and claiming the school "purposefully" disregarded multiple... https://t.co/K3cK7KWxvC
Former Kentucky swimmers sue ex-coaches, AD Mitch Barnhart, alleging 'sexually hostile environment' https://t.co/MYL3ZD6QPu https://t.co/AzjeQlh6DQ
Ex-Kentucky swimmers sue, accuse coach of rape - via @ESPN App https://t.co/4krNIydRkl
Ex-Kentucky swim coach Lars Jorgensen accused of rape, sexual assault in lawsuit https://t.co/hPHSNVJyzz
Two former Kentucky swimmers filed a lawsuit against the school, its AD and former coach Lars Jorgensen, claiming the coach sexually assaulted them and that the university ignored warnings about his alleged inappropriate behavior toward women. https://t.co/WNku3XGkI3
LAWSUIT | Former Kentucky swimmers file federal Title IX suit against UK, coaches, over allegations of sexual abuse and rape, say university was "indifferent" and "complicit" in its handling https://t.co/MTab4l3BSe
According to a lawsuit filed against Lars Jorgensen and Kentucky, the school's “complicity and deliberate indifference” enabled Jorgensen “to foster a toxic, sexually hostile environment within the swim program." More from @katiejstrang ⤵️ https://t.co/oMAPaxr0mZ https://t.co/2PcDhIk7sZ
Why did this story publish today? Because today, two former swimmers filed a lawsuit against former coaches Lars Jorgensen and Gary Conelly, the University of Kentucky, and AD Mitch Barnhart in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky. https://t.co/rPFrN4UQVW
Last June, Kentucky announced Lars Jorgensen's resignation in a press release. No reason was given for his exit. It went unsaid that one former Kentucky swimmer reported enduring “years of sexual assault, abuse and harassment” by Jorgensen to the school.
NEW: Kentucky accused of “complicity” as former swim coach Lars Jorgensen allegedly committed sexual violence Multiple former swim team members say abuse spanned “years” (CW:SA) https://t.co/0V9U7kkBvB