NEW JERSEY
NorthJersey.com
Keldy Ortiz and Abbott Koloff, NorthJersey
Bergen Catholic High School officials conspired to cover up sexual and verbal abuse in its nationally recognized wrestling program that included the sharing of pornographic images, coaches watching wrestlers strip naked and inappropriate text messages sent to athletes, according to a lawsuit filed on behalf of a former wrestler.
The 29-page, 12-count lawsuit, which was filed in state Superior Court in Bergen County, also alleges that school and Newark Archdiocese officials worked to shield the wrestling coaches from “criminal detection” in a “conspiracy to endanger children.”
A former wrestler and his parents allege that the school’s president, Brother Brian Walsh, threw him off the team after he complained of abuse during this past wrestling season, according to the suit. The complaint alleges that the school did only a cursory investigation and never contacted authorities.
However, Newark Archdiocese spokesman Jim Goodness said Monday that the Oradell-based school notified the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office. He couldn’t say when the notification was made.
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