Navarro College cheerleading coach Monica Aldama – who rose to fame at Netflix series “Cheer” along together with her squad – denies the accusation that she swept the alleged sexual assault under the rug.
“I’m appalled by the false allegations made against me. The statements made about me within the lawsuit are very inaccurate,” Aldama, 51, told The Post.
“As a Navarro Cheer coach, I care primarily concerning the health and safety of the scholars I train. I’ve worked 12 months after 12 months to ensure Navarro Cheer is a secure space for all cheerleaders,” she continued.
“We don’t condone or cover up reports of sexual harassment and assault. As an athletics coach and worker of Navarro College, I take all matters related to Title IX very seriously, especially allegations of sexual misconduct,” she added.
Former Navarro cheerleader Madi Lane sues Aldama; Navarro College; Texas school athletics director Michael Landers; her Title IX coordinator, Elizabeth Pillans; and Lane’s alleged perpetrator, former teammate Salvatore “Salvo” Amico.
!['Cheer' coach Monica Aldama responds to 'wildly inaccurate' sexual assault lawsuit](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/NYPICHPDPICT000010260330-1.jpg?w=973)
In a 20-page federal lawsuit filed Wednesday, Lane alleges Amico climbed into her dorm bed in September 2021, took off a few of her clothes, and sexually assaulted her as she screamed for him to stop.
Amico couldn’t be contacted immediately for comment on Friday.
Lane claims she told “several team members” concerning the alleged incident, including the “unofficial team captain”, who allegedly replied “You simply have to drink it and stop fascinated by it” because “that is what Navarro girls do – they drink.” We do not tell anyone. We just keep it to ourselves,” the criticism reads.
Lane also claims that when she reported to Aldamie, the coach allegedly interrupted her and said, “Let’s not make an enormous deal out of this. I would like the very best for you and can enable you to cheer wherever you wish.”
And when Lane left the cheerleading squad, Aldama allegedly told her, “Should you keep quiet, I’ll ensure you possibly can
cheer where you wish.
![Monica Aldama attends the 2022 Creative Arts Emmy Awards.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/NYPICHPDPICT000010252572.jpg?w=739)
In her statement to The Post on Friday, Aldama called herself a “principles advocate”.
“I all the time follow all appropriate procedures for reporting and responding to any allegations of misconduct within the Navarro Cheer program,” she continued.
She added: “I ensure I report and encourage others to report any allegations of harassment, discrimination or assault to the suitable authorities and officials. I might never remain silent or ask any student to remain silent if I knew that sexual misconduct had occurred on Cheer.”
The Post contacted Lane for comment.
![Aldama poses for](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/NYPICHPDPICT000010258713-1.jpg?w=683)
Lane claims in her criticism that she was also discouraged from reporting the alleged assault to the campus police and the Title IX office.
In a press release to The Post on Thursday, Navarro College said it “denies all allegations of wrongdoing and is ready to defend vigorously in court.”
The university continued: “The security and well-being of scholars is all the time the highest priority. Navarro College prohibits sexual harassment and sexual misconduct against all students and is deeply committed to providing an academic environment freed from gender discrimination and sexual assault.
“The College has established robust policies and procedures for reporting, investigating and responding to all allegations of sexual harassment and sexual assault. Navarro College takes every report of sexual harassment and sexual assault seriously and works quickly to ensure an appropriate response to protect all students,” the statement concluded.
![(LR) LaDarius Marshall, Monica Aldama, Gabi Butler and Jerry Harris attend the Build series to discuss](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/NYPICHPDPICT000010254291.jpg?w=1024)
The lawsuit is the newest scandal within the “Cheer” scourge, which premiered in 2020 and dropped its second season last 12 months.
Former Navarro cheerleader and ‘Cheer’ favorite Jerry Harris is serving 12 years in prison after pleading guilty for forcing teenage boys to send him indecent photos and videos and soliciting sex teenage twins on the cheerleading competition.