Elite Los Angeles School Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Abuse Cover-Up
A former water polo player at the prestigious Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles has filed a lawsuit alleging the institution ignored repeated sexual assaults and racial abuse perpetrated by a star teammate. The complaint claims the school failed to take appropriate action despite multiple reports, effectively enabling a culture of abuse within its athletic program.
Details of the Alleged Assaults and Racial Harassment
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Aidan Romain, who was 14 years old at the time of the alleged incidents. Romain, now 18, was one of the few Black players on the school's water polo team. According to legal documents, the abuse began as early as his first practice with the team.
The complaint alleges that older player Lucca van der Woude, described as an Olympic prospect for the American water polo team, digitally penetrated Romain on multiple occasions. Attorney Daniel Watkins wrote in the filing: "Time and time again, on Harvard-Westlake's campus – in its pool and elsewhere – Lucca Van Der Woude approached Plaintiff from behind to ambush and digitally penetrate him."
Beyond the sexual assaults, Romain claims he endured daily racial abuse from teammates. The lawsuit states he was called the n-word regularly from when he joined the team through February 2024. In one particularly disturbing incident, Romain alleges that van der Woude and another student whipped him in the weight room while making slave-related taunts.
School's Alleged Failure to Respond
The legal complaint accuses Harvard-Westlake of systematic failure in addressing the reported abuse. According to the documents, Romain reported the assaults immediately after learning van der Woude was allegedly abusing another teammate. However, the school allegedly "did nothing" and failed to take legally required steps as a mandated reporter of child abuse.
The lawsuit further claims that Romain's mother met with water polo coach Jack Grover on at least two occasions to voice concerns about the team's abusive and bigoted behavior. She reportedly received a text from Grover stating "my eyes are going to be on [her son]," which the complaint suggests was inadequate response to serious allegations.
Defendants in the case include Harvard-Westlake School president Richard Commons, Coach Jack Grover, and Lucca van der Woude himself.
School's Response and Subsequent Developments
Harvard-Westlake has issued a statement through The Independent, saying it "unequivocally disputes many" of the lawsuit's claims. The school maintains it treated reports "with urgency and seriousness," promptly initiating an investigation and complying with mandatory reporting obligations while cooperating with law enforcement.
Despite this defense, records show van der Woude was arrested on campus in 2024 on suspicion of sexual assault and subsequently banned from school grounds and the water polo team. The lawsuit alleges the school then participated in a cover-up by helping van der Woude transfer to Newport Harbor High School with a clean record.
The complaint states: "As part of its cover-up, the school worked hand-in-hand with Lucca van Der Woude and his family to transfer him to Newport Harbor High School the very next semester with a clean record, as if nothing had ever happened and he had committed no crimes."
Impact on Athletic Career and Legal Denials
Van der Woude had been committed to joining UCLA's championship water polo team, but the university withdrew its offer following media reports about the allegations. His legal representation, Bremer Whyte Brown & O'Meara, LLP, provided a statement to The Independent denying all accusations.
"Lucca van der Woude categorically and unequivocally denies each and every allegation made against him," the statement reads. "These claims are false. Lucca has conducted himself with integrity throughout his academic and athletic career, and he will not allow false accusations to define him now and/or in the future."
The law firm expressed confidence that "the truth will emerge through the proper legal process" while declining further comment while the matter remains pending.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about institutional responses to abuse allegations in elite educational and athletic environments, particularly when involving promising athletes. With tuition exceeding $54,000 annually at Harvard-Westlake, the lawsuit raises questions about accountability at prestigious private institutions.
