Navarro College cheerleading coach Monica Aldama — who found fame on the Netflix series “Cheer” along together with her squad — is denying an accusation that she swept an alleged sexual assault under the rug.
“I’m heartbroken by the false allegations made against me. The statements made about me within the lawsuit are wildly inaccurate,” Aldama, 51, said Friday in a press release to The Post.
“Because the Navarro Cheer coach, the health and safety of the scholars I coach is my important concern. I even have worked 12 months after 12 months to ensure that Navarro Cheer is a protected space for all cheerleaders,” she continued.
“We don’t condone or cover-up reports of sexual harassment and assault. As an athletics coach and Navarro College worker, I take all Title IX matters very seriously, especially reports of sexual misconduct,” she added.
Former Navarro cheerleader Madi Lane is suing Aldama; Navarro College; the Texas school’s director of athletics, Michael Landers; its Title IX coordinator, Elizabeth Pillans; and Lane’s alleged abuser, former teammate Salvatore “Salvo” Amico.
Within the 20-page federal lawsuit filed Wednesday, Lane alleges Amico got on her dorm bed in September 2021, pulled off a few of her clothes, and sexually assaulted her as she screamed at him to stop.
Amico couldn’t be reached immediately for comment Friday.
Lane claims she told “several team members” in regards to the alleged incident, including the team’s “unofficial captain,” who allegedly responded: “You simply have to drink it off and get your mind off of it” because “that’s what Navarro girls do — they drink. We don’t tell anyone. We just keep it to our self,” in keeping with the criticism.
Lane also claims that when she made a report back to Aldama, the coach allegedly interrupted her and said: “Let’s not make this a giant deal. I need the very best for you and I’ll provide help to cheer wherever you would like.”
And when Lane quit the cheer team, Aldama allegedly told her, “If you happen to keep quiet, I’ll ensure that you possibly can
cheer anywhere you would like.”
In her Friday statement to The Post, Aldama called herself a “rules follower.”
“I at all times follow all appropriate procedures regarding reporting and responding to any allegations of misconduct within the Navarro Cheer program,” she continued.
She added: “I ensure that to report, and encourage others to report, any allegations of harassment, discrimination, or assault to appropriate authorities and officials. I’d never remain silent, or ask any student to stay silent, if I were aware that any sexual misconduct occurred within the Cheer program.”
The Post reached out to Lane for comment.
Lane claims in her criticism that she was also discouraged from reporting the alleged assault to campus police and the Title IX office.
In a press release to The Post on Thursday, Navarro College said it “denies any allegations of wrongdoing and is ready to vigorously defend itself in court.”
The school continued: “The security and welfare of scholars is at all times of utmost priority. Navarro College prohibits sexual harassment and sexual misconduct against all students and is deeply committed to providing an academic environment free from sex 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 acts swiftly to offer an appropriate response to guard all students,” the statement concludes.
The lawsuit is the newest scandal to plague “Cheer,” which premiered in 2020, with a second season dropping last 12 months.
Former Navarro cheerleader and “Cheer” favorite Jerry Harris is serving a 12-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to coercing teen boys to send him obscene photos and videos and soliciting sex from teen twin boys at cheerleading competitions.