Kentucky AD Barnhart: No comment on suit by former swimmers alleging sexual misconduct by ex

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart says he can’t comment on a lawsuit filed by two former swim team members against him, the school and former coach Lars Jorgensen, alleging sexual assaults including rape by Jorgensen and claiming the school “purposefully” disregarded multiple credible reports of inappropriate sexual relationships.

Asked about the lawsuit after Sunday’s news conference at Rupp Arena introducing men’s basketball coach Mark Pope, the longtime AD said he couldn’t comment because the matter is under litigation.

“I always say we always want to have safety for our student-athletes, our coaches and our staff,” the longtime AD said. “But other than that, I can’t say.”

Former Kentucky swimmer and assistant coach Briggs Alexander and a woman identified only as Jane Doe filed the suit Friday in U.S. District Court. It said Kentucky empowered Jorgensen to “foster a toxic, sexually hostile environment within the swim program and to prey on, sexually harass, and commit horrific sexual assaults.”