Former University of Kentucky Swimmers Bring Sexual Assault Lawsuit Against the University, Former Coach Lars Jorgensen, and Others

Apr 19

Attorneys: Megan Bonanni and Channing Robinson-Holmes

April 19, 2024 – On April 12th, the attorneys at Pitt, McGehee, Palmer, Bonanni, & Rivers filed a lawsuit against the University of Kentucky, Lars Jorgensen, and other individuals for allegations of sexual abuse committed while Jorgensen served as Head Coach of the University’s Swimming and Diving Program.

According to the lawsuit, for nearly ten years, the University of Kentucky empowered Jorgensen to foster a toxic, sexually hostile environment within the swim program and, therefore, allowed him to prey on, sexually harass, and commit sexual assaults and violent rapes against young female coaches and collegiate athletes. Under Jorgensen’s leadership, female athletes were openly objectified, humiliated, and taunted. The women were subjected to comments on their bodies, fetishized, calorie monitoring, public shaming, and standards of weight that resulted in dangerously low body fat percentages and cessation of menstrual cycles. The University disregarded multiple credible reports of sexual abuse by discouraging students and employees from filing Title IX reports.

Prior to being hired as head coach at the University of Kentucky, officials were aware that Jorgensen engaged in an inappropriate sexual relationship with a young female athlete at the University of Toledo; the University of Kentucky hired him and placed him in a position of power and authority, jeopardizing the safety of their athletes.

Briggs Alexander and Jane Doe are plaintiffs in this case and are former collegiate swimmers and employees of the University of Kentucky. The two plaintiffs were subjected to a sexually hostile environment, groomed, and sexually assaulted by Lars Jorgensen. This lawsuit unveils the sexual abuse carried out by Lars Jorgensen. As these allegations come to light, both the Plaintiffs and their attorneys hope more women will feel empowered to share their stories about Lars Jorgensen’s history of abuse.

The lawsuit, named Alexander et al v. The University of Kentucky et al, seeks justice for plaintiffs as a result of the harm they experienced at the hands of Lars Jorgensen. Partners Megan Bonanni and Channing Robinson-Holmes appeared at a press conference on April 17th alongside plaintiff Briggs Alexander and advocate Rachael Denhollander.

“The Title IX office is there to protect us as student-athletes when our coaches aren't protecting us. In this situation, he wasn't. We should have been able to trust the Title IX office and none of us could, and we didn't know that.,” explained Plaintiff Briggs Alexander at the press briefing.

"We are convinced and have reason to believe that there are more victims and there are witnesses out there," said attorney Megan Bonanni. “Coming forward today is to shine a light to make people know that it is safe to come forward.”

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The Athletic: Kentucky accused of ‘complicity’ as former swim coach allegedly committed sexual violence

Associated Press: Kentucky spokeswoman: School is ‘distressed’ to hear of alleged sexual misconduct by ex-swim coach

Lexington Herald-Leader: UK was investigating ‘predator’ swim coach for sex abuse. Then it paid him to quit

WDRB: Former Kentucky swimmer alleging sex abuse feels 'betrayed' by the university

WLEX: Victim, attorneys discuss sex abuse lawsuit against former UK swim coach

WYMT: ‘I didn’t know if anyone was going to believe me’: Plaintiff in UK swim lawsuit speaks out

WHAS11: Former UK swimmer discusses lawsuit against ex-swim coach, AD, school

FOX 56: Alleged victim pressures University of Kentucky to investigate sexual abuse claims

FOX 56: Clock ticking for UK to respond to swim & dive team lawsuit

News Founded: Ex-Kentucky Swimmer: I was ‘Extremely Discouraged’ from Coming Foward About Sexual Abuse by Coach

Swimming World: Kentucky Responds to Jorgensen Lawsuit: ‘No Tolerance for Harm, Harassment or Abuse’