Former University of Kentucky swimmers and coaches have had some of their federal sexual abuse and harassment claims dismissed by a U.S. district judge. The claims were made against former swim coach Lars Jorgensen and the school, with the judge ruling that some claims were filed outside of the federal statute of limitations and that Jorgensen was not acting as a state official at the time of the alleged offenses. However, state law claims and Title IX allegations have been allowed to move forward.
The lawsuit alleges that Jorgensen engaged in sexual assault, harassment, and coercion over several years, with UK officials ignoring warnings about his behavior. The plaintiffs claim that UK discouraged reporting of misconduct and allowed the abuse to continue despite complaints being made to its Title IX office.
Key points in the ruling include the dismissal of some federal civil rights claims due to being time-barred and Jorgensen not acting under state authority. State civil claims against Jorgensen remain, as do Title IX claims against UK.
Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart remains a defendant on several counts, including allegations of failure to supervise. The case will now move to discovery and trial. In response, UK argues that it acted in good faith within state and federal laws and took appropriate action once complaints were brought forward. The school has also argued that monetary damages for emotional distress are barred by sovereign immunity.
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