Monica Aldama: Cheerleading team coach featured in 'Cheer' sued for covering up sexual assault of student
Warning: This article contains recollection of sexual assault that could be triggering to some readers. Discretion is advised.
CORSICANA, TEXAS: According to a lawsuit filed on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, the coach of the top-tier competitive cheerleading team at Navarro College, which was featured in the popular Netflix series 'Cheer', intimidated one of her athletes into not coming forward after an alleged sexual assault and offered to help her cheerleading career if she stayed silent.
The Corsicana-based college's coach Monica Aldama, athletic director Michael Landers, and the Title IX coordinator Elizabeth Pillans were named in the lawsuit, which was filed in federal court in Dallas. "A campus condition rife with sexual assault and lacking the basic standards of support for victims as required by state and federal law," the complaint filed by the victim alleges.
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What did the lawsuit say?
In court records obtained by Page Six, the plaintiff, a female cheerleader named Madi Lane, alleges Salvatore "Salvo" Amico sexually abused her during her first semester at Navarro. Aldama, other cheerleaders, campus police, and the school's Title IX coordinator pleaded with her not to report the attack when she went to do so. Lane claims that the alleged attack took place in September 2021, after her roommate at the time invited a bunch of males over to their dorm room following a night of partying.
While everyone hung out in the living area, Lane attempted to fall asleep, but Amico allegedly climbed into bed with her and started pulling off her clothes. Lane claimed Amico touched her chest and put his fingers into her before she was able to throw him off despite her screams and pleas for him to stop.
Lane reported that after she told Aldama what had occurred, the coach said, "Let’s not make this a big deal. I want the best for you and I will help you cheer wherever you want." After Lane left the team a week later, Aldama allegedly advised her to "keep quiet" if she wanted to carry on with her college cheerleading career.
Lane also claimed that Maddy Brum, one of the "veteran" cheerleaders, told her the same thing. Brum allegedly told Lane, "We don’t tell anyone. We just keep it to ourselves." Aldama alleged that the charges in the complaint were "wildly inaccurate" in a statement given to People.
Lane, who is now a member of the cheer team at the University of Texas at Permian Basin, said she was "blackballed" from other programs by Navarro coaches and former teammates for reporting the alleged assault. This crushed her dream of competing on a nationally recognized team.
What did coach Monica Aldama say?
Along with the man accused of assaulting the cheerleader, the lawsuit names Aldama, Navarro College's Director of Athletics Michael Landers, Title IX Coordinator Elizabeth Pillans, and the college as defendants.
Aldama and the faculty and staff of the school are charged with cultivating "a campus condition rife with sexual assault and lacking the basic standards of support for victims as required by state and federal law." Aldama claimed in a statement provided to PEOPLE that the lawsuit's allegations are "wildly inaccurate."
"I am heartbroken by the false allegations made against me," she stated. "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." Navarro also provided PEOPLE with a statement from the college in which it was said that it "denies any allegations of wrongdoing and is prepared to vigorously defend itself in court."
Other sexual assault lawsuits to go against Navarro
The cheerleading team at Navarro is the target of multiple sexual assault claims. In September 2020, rising 'Cheer' star Jerry Harris was accused by two minor twin brothers of sexual assault and also asking them to take nude pictures of themselves. Harris was then detained on the charges of making, obtaining, and using child pornography. Harris received a 12-year prison term in July 2022 after being convicted on the charges.
Two more Navarro male cheerleaders were detained on sex offense allegations in February 2021. Robert Joseph Scianna Jr was detained in Virginia and eventually pleaded guilty to charges of using an electronic communication device to solicit sex and engaging in indecent acts with a minor, while Mitchell Ryan was detained in Texas on suspicion of felony aggravated child sex assault, but a grand jury decided not to indict him.
What is 'Cheer' all about?
The cheerleading team from Navarro was the subject of the Netflix original series 'Cheer', which made its debut in January 2020. Its widespread popularity prompted a second season, which began airing in January 2022 and included Navarro and its main competitor Trinity Valley Community College in their ascent to the national championship. There is no word yet on a third season.
