Former swim coach Gary Conelly dismissed from sex abuse lawsuit against UK, Lars Jorgensen

A sex abuse lawsuit against the University of Kentucky and former head swimming and diving coach Lars Jorgensen this week voluntarily dropped Jorgensen’s predecessor, Gary Conelly, as a defendant.

On April 12, two former UK swimmers filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court alleging that Jorgensen sexually harassed and assaulted them and a third woman during their separate times with the university’s swim program. They said UK for years turned a blind eye to warnings about Jorgensen’s predatory behavior.

Conelly preceded Jorgensen as UK’s head swim coach and hired him in 2012 as an assistant. But Conelly retired the next year after two decades in the job and moved to Florida, so he was not present when the activity alleged in the suit took place, his attorney said in a motion to dismiss the claims against his client in August.

“During the 10 months that Coach Conelly and Lars Jorgensen worked together, there were no reports of any ‘sexual relationship’ involving Jorgensen and a UK coach, UK swimmer or anyone else for that matter,” attorney Jeffrey K. Phillips of Lexington wrote in that motion.

The suit continues against UK and Jorgensen, both of whom have denied wrongdoing and filed motions to dismiss the case. The plaintiffs are expected to file a response to those motions early next month.

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