![]() ![]() ► The five lawsuits against Rockstar identify multiple defendants. Who are the other defendants, and what are they accused of? In at least one case, the suit claims, this connection led to sexual encounters at multiple competitions. In other cases, Foster connected with athletes via social media, according to second complaint. ► Some of Foster’s alleged victims trained at Rockstar Cheer and Dance in Greer. These lawsuits were filed by Strom Law Firm. Similarly, the third, fourth and fifth lawsuits, filed in October, allege Foster provided drugs, cigarettes and alcohol to underage athletes and was aware of at least some sexual “relationships” between his coaches and their athletes. ► The second lawsuit contains similarly graphic allegations of "child sexual exploitation," accusing Foster of exchanging sexual images with female and male minors, providing drugs and alcohol to athletes under his care, and engaging in a sexual relationship with an 18-year-old. ![]() More allegations: New Rockstar Cheer lawsuit alleges sexual abuse, attacks competitive cheerleading culture The lawsuit was filed jointly by Chappell, Smith & Arden and Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey.Īllegations: Lawsuit claims Rockstar Cheer founder Scott Foster 'persuaded' girl into sex Foster, the complaint says, exchanged sexual messages and images with the child, who remains a minor, and "persuaded" the girl "into performing various sexual acts" with him on at least 10 occasions in Greenville and at competitions.įoster is also accused of providing alcohol to the minor "in an effort to further persuade" her "to perform sexual acts with him." ► The first lawsuit alleges Foster sexually abused an unidentified girl after she was promoted to Rockstar's top-tier team. Scott Foster coaches practice at Rockstar Cheer Sunday, Mar. Thirteen individuals overall have come forward, all anonymously, and more plaintiffs could ultimately join the legal action, lawyers said. ► Multiple unidentified plaintiffs in five lawsuits have accused Foster of a range of misconduct toward minors. 22 at Paris Mountain State Park, according to the Greenville County Coroner’s Office. ► Foster, 49, was found dead in his vehicle with a gunshot wound on Aug. ► In addition to his work at Rockstar, Foster coached cheerleading on an advisory basis at high schools in the Upstate. “What really drove me was working with young people and making a positive impact on their lives.” “I wanted a career doing something I would love each and every day,” he wrote online. ► Originally interested in a career in law enforcement, Foster found himself drawn to competitive cheerleading instead, he said. “We wanted Rockstar Cheer to be a family, not just a business.” “We weren’t just striving to be the best in our area of South Carolina, we wanted to do something that would be known as one of the best in our industry,” he said on his website. He moved to Greenville in 1999 and founded Rockstar Cheer & Dance Inc. ► A native of Kentucky, Foster cheered as a student at the University of Louisville and began coaching in 1996, according to Rockstar's website. Located in Greer, the gym is referred to as Rockstar Cheer Greenville. His training center, Rockstar Cheer, was home to 14 all-star cheerleading teams that have earned medals at some of the most prestigious competitions in the sport. ► At the time of his death, Scott Foster was a competitive cheerleading coach of national renown. Here's more to know as the story unfolds: Who was Scott Foster? No law enforcement agency has publicly acknowledged an investigation into the accusations. 7 in a written statement released by Foster's widow, Kathy Foster. Rockstar Cheer and Dance announced it would close its doors "indefinitely" on Sept. 22, according to the Greenville County Coroner's Office. None of the alleged misconduct in the Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia or Florida complaints involved Foster or Rockstar Cheer and Dance.įoster died by suicide on Aug. Strom has also filed separate lawsuits alleging abuse at cheer gyms in Knoxville, Tennessee, Raleigh, North Carolina, Marietta, Georgia, and South Daytona, Florida. Those filed by Columbia-based Strom Law Firm - the second, third, fourth and fifth lawsuits - take the argument further, attacking the business model and governance of competitive cheer itself. In addition, the lawsuits allege institutional failures by national cheerleading organizations responsible for safeguarding the welfare of young athletes.
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