The University of Kentucky, Mitch Barnhart named in Title IX lawsuit surrounding Lars Jorgensen [Video]

LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — A Title IX lawsuit has been filed against former University of Kentucky swim coach Lars Jorgensen, who reportedly groomed and sexually assaulted multiple former swimmers.

The lawsuit alleges that for 10 years, Jorgensen fostered a sexually hostile environment within the swim program and committed “horrific sexual assaults and violent rapes against young female coaches and collegiate athletes who were reliant on him.”

According to court documents, UK was provided with actual word of the assaults and “aggressively” discouraged students and employees from filing Title IX reports because it “would be pointless.”

As a result of UK’s decisions, the prosecution claims that the university enjoyed 10 years of leadership and success and transformed the swim program from one of the worst to one of the best.

“Jorgensen exerted absolute control over every aspect of the lives of his female swimmers and staff, openly commenting on swimmer’s bodies, the size …