‘Cheer’ coach Monica Aldama sued for alleged sexual assault cover-up
A former member of the Navarro Faculty cheerleading squad — which discovered fame on the Netflix series “Cheer” — claims in a brand new lawsuit that the Texas faculty and coach Monica Aldama failed to research her sexual assault accusations.
Within the submitting obtained by The Put up, former Navarro cheerleader Madi Lane alleges she was sexually assaulted by crew member Salvatore “Salvo” Amico in her dorm room in September 2021.
The grievance, filed Wednesday in federal courtroom, additionally names Director of Athletics Michael Landers and Title IX Coordinator Elizabeth Pillans.
Representatives for Navarro Faculty and Aldama denied allegations of wrongdoing in a press release Thursday. The Put up additionally reached out to Amico for remark.
In her go well with, Lane claims Amico received on her mattress, pulled off a few of her garments and sexually assaulted her as she screamed at him to cease.
She mentioned she spoke with “a number of crew members” and claimed the crew’s “unofficial captain” advised her, “You simply have to drink it off and get your thoughts off of it” as a result of “that’s what Navarro ladies do — they drink. We don’t inform anybody. We simply hold it to our self,” based on the grievance.
She claims when she approached Aldama, the coach alleged interrupted her, saying, “Let’s not make this a giant deal. I would like the perfect for you and I’ll enable you to cheer wherever you need,” based on the go well with.
She alleges that when she give up the cheer crew, Aldama advised her, “If you happen to hold quiet, I’ll be sure you can
cheer anyplace you need.”
Lane mentioned she was additionally discouraged from reporting the alleged incident to campus police and the Title IX workplace.
She mentioned she attends a distinct Texas college, the place she is a cheerleader.
“Plaintiff’s dream of cheering on a nationally ranked crew is over, and she or he has been ‘blackballed’ from many nationally ranked packages, as they’ve former Navarro cheerleaders as coaches or crew members,” the go well with reads.
In a press release to The Put up, Navarro Faculty mentioned it “denies any allegations of wrongdoing and is ready to vigorously defend itself in courtroom.”
The assertion continues: “The security and welfare of scholars is at all times of utmost precedence. Navarro Faculty prohibits sexual harassment and sexual misconduct towards all college students and is deeply dedicated to offering an academic atmosphere free from intercourse discrimination and sexual assault.
“The Faculty has established strong insurance policies and procedures for reporting, investigating, and responding to all allegations of sexual harassment and sexual assault. Navarro Faculty takes each report of sexual harassment and sexual assault severely and acts swiftly to supply an acceptable response to guard all college students,” the message concludes.
This isn’t the primary Navarro scandal.
“Cheer” standout Jerry Harris is serving a 12-year jail sentence after pleading guilty to coercing teen boys to ship him obscene pictures and movies and soliciting intercourse from teen twin boys at cheerleading competitions.
The hit Netflix docuseries addressed the allegations final 12 months throughout its second season, in an episode titled “Jerry,” which included interviews with twins Charlie and Sam, in addition to their mom, Kristen.