Unpacking the Kentucky swim scandal: A deep dive into allegations and institutional responses

The University of Kentucky's swimming program has been at the center of controversy due to allegations of sexual misconduct involving former head coach Lars Jorgensen. Here's a detailed look at what has been allegedly accused:

The Allegations Against Lars Jorgensen

The video below is from April when the allegations first occurred, the new evidence and changes are described below the video.

Lawsuit Filed: In April 2024, two former team members, including Briggs Alexander, filed a lawsuit against Jorgensen, the University of Kentucky, and Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart. The lawsuit alleges sexual assault, including rape, by Jorgensen during his tenure. Jorgensen has denied these claims saying relationships were consensual.
Specific Claims: The lawsuit claims that Jorgensen "forcibly raped" Briggs Alexander, who was previously known as Bridgette Alexander according to some reports, though not proven. Another unnamed former swimmer alleged that Jorgensen attempted to engage in sexual activity with her in 2022 while she was an assistant. An additional accusation from a third woman, who is not a plaintiff in the case, states that Jorgensen "forcibly raped" her in 2013.

Historical Allegations: The lawsuit also mentions that multiple former swimmers reported abuse over years, with some allegations tracing back to Jorgensen's time at the University of Toledo. Mark Howard who worked with Lars at Toledo reportedly warned UK's swim coach Gary Conelly and AD Mitch Barnhart about Jorgensen's past behavior; prior to when he was hired in 2012.
Response from Jorgensen: Jorgensen has denied all allegations, stating through his attorney that the relationships with the two former assistants were consensual dating relationships. His legal team has characterized the allegations as "defamatory" and linked them to broader cultural debates, mentioning support for swimmer Riley Gaines and her stance on transfender athletes, and "woke" culture at large.

Institutional Response and Legal Developments

Kentucky's Stance: The University of Kentucky has stated they take allegations of misconduct seriously but have refrained from commenting on the ongoing litigation. After Jorgensen's resignation in June 2023, the university has not disclosed specific reasons for his departure, adhering to their policy on personnel matters. Though it was largely reported, including, by the Lexington Herald Leader that the reason was the investigation into this swim team scandal.

Legal Actions: In October 2024, charges against Gary Conelly were dropped completely. Then in November 2024, according to SwimSwam, four claims against the University of Kentucky were dismissed, including two counts of vicarious liability for battery, one count of negligence, and one count of failure to train and supervise. It does not impact Barhart or Jorgensen's cases.
Two claims remain against Kentucky: one for sex harassment under Title IX and one for sex discrimination under the Kentucky Civil Rights Act.
Title IX and Institutional Accountability: The case has spotlighted how universities handle Title IX complaints, with the plaintiffs accusing UK of being "deliberately indifferent" to the misconduct, an accusation which the university denies.

The legal proceedings continue to unfold, with the focus on ensuring a fair resolution for all parties involved. We will continue to report on this very important story here at WBN.

Note: All information presented here is based on what has been reported by credible media outlets like ESPN and SwimSwam. No judgments or conclusions regarding guilt or innocence are implied or stated here, as these matters are still under legal and civil review.