We have come together in what has become one of the most devastating and tragic occurrences of institutional failure and sexual abuse we’ve seen in line with the likes of Michigan State and USA Gymnastics and many other national cases that you hear about," said Attorney Bakari Sellers of Strom Law Firm.
Also contributions by Will Folks of FitsNews.com
In the first of several known lawsuits being brought against deceased Rockstar Cheer owner Scott Foster's estate, Varsity Spirit, United States All Star Federation and the National Center for Safety Initiatives, a jury trial has been requested on behalf of an unnamed minor and her father in the State of South Carolina, Greenville County.
Attorneys James C. Sprout of Chappel Smith and Arden law firm and Jim Bannister of Bannister, Wyatt and Stalvey law firm say the suit is called for due to the defendants' "reckless, grossly negligent and negligent acts and failures."
During a press conference yesterday, Attorney Bannister stood with attorneys from Strom Law Firm, which is representing additional defendants. The six-to-eight-week State and Federal investigations are ongoing and include agents from Homeland Security that revealed dozens of victims, both male and female, with the oldest at 38 years of age and the youngest minors, from as far away as California.
“We have come together in what has become one of the most devastating and tragic occurrences of institutional failure and sexual abuse we’ve seen in line with the likes of Michigan State and USA Gymnastics and many other national cases that you hear about," said Attorney Bakari Sellers of Strom Law Firm (pictured right).
"This has likely been going on for more than a decade and Scott Foster knew that he was going to have to face his victims who were the subject of a sexual predatorship," said Attorney Bannister (pictured above in the middle).
"The light will be shined on what I think will turn out to be a coven of sexual predators surrounding Rockstar. Just because he is deceased doesn't mean that the investigation is over."
The lawsuit, which can be read in its entirety below, accuses Foster of using his position as owner and founder of Rockstar Cheer “to coerce children to concede to his sexual suggestions, using his authority and position of trust to exploit them physically, sexually and emotionally.”
Specifically, the anonymous plaintiff received “messages of a sexual nature” from Foster, including “nude pictures of himself and requests for nude pictures of (her).”
The anonymous plaintiff was further “persuaded into performing various sexual acts including oral and penetrative sex with Foster,” the suit alleges. She was also allegedly “provided alcohol by Foster in an effort to further persuade (her) to perform sexual acts with him.”
“These acts occurred at Foster’s home, in Foster’s vehicle, Rockstar’s facility, at hotels during competitions and in both South Carolina and Florida,” the lawsuit alleges.
Along with Rockstar, the suit claims the USASF and Varsity "received complaints with regards to the conduct of (Foster), including his inappropriate behavior with the athletes undere is care." The National Center for Safety Initiatives which "supports youth-centered organizations and communities by offering in-depth background checks and comprehensive safety services" conducts background checks for the USASF.
The lawsuit:
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