The athletes sued the American Water Polo Association and the California Club. Her trainer, Bahram Hojra, is said to have abused women in 2012 and 2017. However, the staff of the association and the Girls and Young Women Training Center initially ignored their complaints, As reported by the “Huffington Post” in reference to the Associated Press.
“This comparison is a tacit admission that these girls were harassed not only by other athletes and their coach, but particularly by USA Water Polo (a watersports governing body, editor’s note) because leadership failed to take steps they would immediately pledge to comment,” a group of Former American water polo players and national team members.
“We have heard the testimony of the plaintiffs, and their allegations are heartbreaking,” Christopher Ramsay, CEO of USA Water Polo, said in a statement. “We hope you can start a new chapter in your life with her.”
The 45-year-old has pleaded not guilty to 34 incidents of sexual assault on 10 victims, nine of whom were children at the time of the crimes. The attorney general said the alleged crimes occurred in one-on-one training sessions, the Huffington Post says.