A former cheerleader on the Navarro College cheerleading squad has filed a civil lawsuit in a Dallas federal court, accusing Monica Aldama, head coach and star of Netflix\u2019s popular \u201cCheer\u201d\u2002series, of discouraging her from reporting a sexual assault, according to a copy of the lawsuit obtained by CNN.
Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas and two college administrators are also named as defendants in the suit, which accuses them of failing to take action against the perpetrator of the assault \u2013 who is also named in the filing\u2013 and failing to \u201chalt and implement policies against the culture of sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual hostility, and violence of Navarro Cheer.\u201d
The suit claims that the plaintiff was sexually assaulted in her on-campus dorm room in 2021 by a male member of the Navarro cheer squad.
When the plaintiff attempted to report the incident to Aldama, the suit alleges Aldama told her \u201clet\u2019s not make this a big deal. I want what\u2019s best for you and I will help you cheer wherever you want.\u201d
Aldama also allegedly told the plaintiff, \u201cif you keep quiet, I\u2019ll make sure you can cheer anywhere you want\u201d when she quit the team days after her initial call with the head coach. The suit also outlines alleged interactions the plaintiff had with \u201cveteran\u201d members of the squad who are accused of intimidation tactics and of similarly discouraging her from reporting the alleged assault.
According to the claim, campus police also \u201cdiscouraged\u201d the plaintiff from reporting the alleged attack and informed her that \u201cthis type of thing happens all the time.\u201d
CNN has reached out to Aldama for comment.
In a statement to Entertainment Weekly, Aldama said she is \u201cheartbroken by the false allegations made against me.\u201d
\u201cAs the Navarro Cheer coach, the health and safety of the students I coach is my main concern. I have worked year after year to make sure Navarro Cheer is a safe space for all cheerleaders. We do not condone or cover-up reports of sexual harassment and assault. As an athletics coach and Navarro College employee, I take all Title IX matters very seriously, especially reports of sexual misconduct. I am a rules follower. I always follow all appropriate procedures regarding reporting and responding to any allegations of misconduct in the Navarro Cheer program. I make sure to report, and encourage others to report, any allegations of harassment, discrimination, or assault to appropriate authorities and officials. I would never remain silent, or ask any student to remain silent, if I were aware that any sexual misconduct occurred in the Cheer program. Because there is a pending lawsuit against me, I have no further comment at this time.\u201d
A representative for Navarro college said in a statement to CNN that \u201cthe College denies any allegations of wrongdoing and is prepared to vigorously defend itself in court.\u201d
\u201cThe safety and welfare of students is always of utmost priority. Navarro College prohibits sexual harassment and sexual misconduct against all students and is deeply committed to providing an educational environment free from sex discrimination and sexual assault. The College has established robust policies and procedures for reporting, investigating, and responding to all allegations of sexual harassment and sexual assault. Navarro College takes every report of sexual harassment and sexual assault seriously and acts swiftly to provide an appropriate response to protect all students,\u201d the statement continued.
Also noted in the suit is a series of interactions the plaintiff had with a \u201cveteran\u201d Navarro cheerleader, who allegedly told the plaintiff that she should just \u201cdrink it off and get your mind off of it\u201d because \u201cthat\u2019s what Navarro girls do \u2013 they drink. We don\u2019t tell anyone. We just keep it to our self.\u201d
The plaintiff also accuses the same veteran cheerleader, who is not a defendant in the lawsuit, of instructing two male members of the squad to \u201cescort\u201d her around to \u201censure that she did not report the assault,\u201d and encouraging her not to not bring the allegations to Aldama or authorities because the school would cut the Navarro Cheer program.
A member of Navarro College\u2019s elite cheer squad has faced legal allegations before.
In 2020, former Navarro cheerleader Jerry Harris was charged in a seven-count indictment that was filed in US District Court in northern Illinois. Harris pleaded guilty in February 2022 to one count each of receiving child pornography and engaging in sexual acts with a minor and is currently serving a 12-year prison sentence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n