Navarro College, home to cheerleaders who starred in Netflix’s “Cheer”, is hit by a legal suit by a former student. The defendants include their star coach, Monica Aldama, who allegedly tried to cover up a sexual assault case of a former student. Cheerleader Madi Lane claims that she was sexually assaulted by Salvatore “Salvo” Amico in the fall of 2021.
Navarro College Faces Legal Suit By Former Student
Monica Aldama, who starred in the popular Netflix docuseries “Cheer,” allegedly asked a former student to “keep quiet” about being sexually assaulted during the first semester at Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas.
Not only Monica but Navarro College and other employees like the director of athletics Michael Lander and Title IX coordinated Elizabeth Pillans have also been named as defendants in the legal suit, which was filed by Madi Lane in Dallas
According to court documents obtained by Page Six, cheerleader Madi Lane claims she was sexually assaulted by teammate Salvatore “Salvo” Amico during the fall of 2021. The lawsuit narrates the horrific incident wherein Lane claims that her then-roommate invited a group of guys over to their dorm room after a night of partying.
When Lane tried to go to sleep early while everyone else was in the living room, Amico allegedly groped her and began taking off her clothes. Not only this but the Amico groped her chest and inserted his fingers inside her private parts before she could finally fight him off.
Navarro released a statement wherein it “denies any allegations of wrongdoing and is prepared to vigorously defend itself in court.” The statement continues: “The 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,” it further reads.
Navarro concluded, “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.”
Cheerleader Head Coach, Monica Aldama Covered Up Sexual Assault
Lane narrated in her lawsuit, which was filed on Wednesday (April 26, 2023), that after she went to her head coach, Monica Aldama, she asked her to remain quiet. “Let’s not make this a big deal. I want the best for you and I will help you cheer wherever you want,” Monica told her back then.
However, Lane quit the team within a week. Aldama came to her again and asked her to “keep quiet” if she cared about her career in cheerleading. Not only this but another veteran cheerleader, Maddy Brum, told her the same thing.
“We don’t tell anyone. We just keep it to ourselves,” Brum allegedly told Lane. She also threatened her that Navarro would cut her from their cheerleading program if she reported the issue.
Today Lane is a cheerleader at the University of Texas at Permian Basin. She claims that her dream of competing on a nationally ranked team was crushed after the above coaches and former teammates “blackballed” her from other programs for coming out with her sexual assault story.
While Navarro denies any allegations of wrongdoing, this isn’t the first time that the school is hit by a scandal. “Cheer” standout, Jerry Harris is presently serving a 12-year prison sentence after he pleaded to coercing teen boys for sex and obscene photos at cheerleading competitions.
