Lawsuit Filed Accuses Former UK Swim & Dive Coach Lars Jorgensen, And The University Of Allowing Sexual Violence

Jorgensen is accused of raping multiple assistant coaches and swimmers during his time at the University of Kentucky

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) — A lawsuit has been filed against the University of Kentucky, Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart, and two former swim coaches on Friday.

According to the complaint, two former athletes are accusing the University of Kentucky for complicity by allowing Lars Jorgensen “to foster a toxic, sexually hostile environment within the swim program and to prey on, sexually harass, and commit horrific sexual assaults and violent rapes against young female coaches and collegiate athletes who were reliant on him.”

The other swim coach involved in the lawsuit is retired swim head coach Gary Conelly, who was the swim coach before Jorgensen got to Kentucky.

Jorgensen was the head coach for the swim team from 2013 until he resigned in June of 2023. During that time, two swimmers have accused Jorgensen of inappropriate sexual relationships and sexual assaults, where the University of Kentucky did not investigate the situation thoroughly.

You can read the full lawsuit here.