‘Cheer’ coach Monica Aldama responds to ‘wildly inaccurate’ sex assault lawsuit

Navarro College cheerleading coach Monica Aldama — who found fame on the Netflix series “Cheer” along with her squad — is denying an accusation that she swept an alleged sexual assault under the rug.

“I am heartbroken by the false allegations made against me. The statements made about me in the lawsuit are wildly inaccurate,” Aldama, 51, said Friday in a statement to The Post.

“As the Navarro Cheer coach, the health and safety of the students I coach is my main concern. I have worked year after year to make sure Navarro Cheer is a safe space for all cheerleaders,” she continued.

“We do not condone or cover-up reports of sexual harassment and assault. As an athletics coach and Navarro College employee, 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.

In the 20-page federal lawsuit filed Wednesday, Lane alleges Amico got on her dorm bed in September 2021, pulled off some of her clothes, and sexually assaulted her as she screamed at him to stop.

Amico could not be reached immediately for comment Friday.

Lane claims she told “several team members” about the alleged incident, including the team’s “unofficial captain,” who allegedly responded: “You just need 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,” according to the complaint.

Lane also claims that when she made a report to Aldama, the coach allegedly interrupted her and said: “Let’s not make this a big deal. I want the best for you and I will help you cheer wherever you want.”

And when Lane quit the cheer team, Aldama allegedly told her, “If you keep quiet, I’ll make sure you can
cheer anywhere you want.”

In her Friday statement to The Post, Aldama called herself a “rules follower.”

“I always follow all appropriate procedures regarding reporting and responding to any allegations of misconduct in the Navarro Cheer program,” she continued.

She added: “I make sure to report, and encourage others to report, any allegations of harassment, discrimination, or assault to appropriate authorities and officials. I would never remain silent, or ask any student to remain silent, if I were aware that any sexual misconduct occurred in the Cheer program.”

The Post reached out to Lane for comment.

Lane claims in her complaint that she was also discouraged from reporting the alleged assault to campus police and the Title IX office.

In a statement to The Post on Thursday, Navarro College said it “denies any allegations of wrongdoing and is prepared to vigorously defend itself in court.”

The college continued: “The safety and welfare of students is always of utmost priority. Navarro College prohibits sexual harassment and sexual misconduct against all students and is deeply committed to providing an educational 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 provide an appropriate response to protect all students,” the statement concludes.

The lawsuit is the latest scandal to plague “Cheer,” which premiered in 2020, with a second season dropping last year.

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.