Lawsuit Against Azarian Gymnastics for Alleged Minor Abuse Filed by Attorneys Eric Traut and Judie Saunders
Mar 22, 2021
Traut Firm
Law Firm Newswire) March 22, 2021 – Attorneys Eric Traut and Judie Saunders allege physical, verbal and emotional abuse in a new complaint filed against Azarian Gymnastics and Azarian coaches, filed March 19, 2021, in Orange County Superior Court, in Santa Ana, CA. Read the complaint below: https://www.dropbox.com/s/66ne5ssjh98d8nb/Azarian%20Complaint%20FILING.pdf?dl=0
The complaint alleges seven years of abuse by the high-profile Orange County Azarian Gymnastics, gym owner Eduard Azarian, and coaches Vanessa Gonzales, Perry Davies, Tyler Jacobs and Amanda Hensley. All three female gymnasts in the complaint were under the age of 18 at the time of the alleged incidents.
The lawsuit comes in the wake of a high-profile three-month investigative report by the Orange County Register of abuse allegations. https://www.ocregister.com/2020/09/16/investigation-gymnasts-parents-recount-abuse-by-coaches-at-azarian-gymnastics/
In a parallel investigation by USA Gymnastics, over 30 witnesses came forward with reports of abuse. https://www.ocregister.com/2020/10/09/thirty-witnesses-ready-to-testify-against-azarian-coaches-in-abuse-case/
Subsequently, USA Gymnastics ruled that they determined “…the reports to be founded,” and non-gymnastics-related physical contact was prohibited. In a publicly available “banned coach list,” USA Gymnastics initially suspended Perry Davies, Vanessa Gonzales, and Amanda Hensley from all contact with gymnasts. https://usagym.org/pages/aboutus/pages/suspended_members.html USA Gymnastics then implemented what parents and athletes characterized as weak, insufficient disciplinary actions against the offending coaches.
Judie Saunders said that, “Allegations of physical, verbal and emotional abuse against youth athletes must be taken seriously. These forms of abuse cause significant long-term injury to survivors and their families.”
Said Eric Traut of the complaint, “Every young athlete deserves the opportunity to learn, train and grow in their chosen sport without interference, fear or abuse.”
Traut represents this matter alongside renowned lawyer Judie Saunders, an attorney with over 20 years of experience and a unique focus on representing survivors of sexual, physical and psychological abuse.
Having tried over 100 civil jury trials, attorney Eric Traut successfully represents people who are injured, including those who are victims of violence and abuse.
ABOUT ERIC V. TRAUT: Eric Traut distinguished himself early as one of the top trial attorneys in Southern California when he was recognized as the youngest winner of the prestigious Trial Lawyer of the Year award in the history of the Orange County Trial Lawyer Association. Eric has handled high-profile cases that have resulted in appearances on Good Morning America, Fox News, Court T.V., and ABC’s “Primetime.” http://www.erictraut.com
ABOUT JUDIE SAUNDERS: Judie Saunders, from the Law Offices of Judie Saunders, has dedicated her career as a lawyer to helping individuals reclaim their voice, agency over their body, and hold abusive authority figures accountable for the harm they caused. https://www.jsaunderslawfirm.com
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