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What do we know about the sexual assault case that LIV Golf’s Greg Norman is facing?

As if things weren’t already controversial enough for the Saudi-backed golf league, now its CEO faces a lawsuit regarding the sexual assault of a minor.

PAUL CHILDSAction Images via Reuters

Though details are still emerging, what seems to be clear is that some kind of inappropriate action took place at Norman’s residence two years ago, and it involved minors and the consumption of alcohol that was served to them.

Greg Norman faces lawsuit in connection with 2001 sexual assault

According to reports, former PGA Tour champion and current LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman is being sued in connection with an alleged sexual assault of a minor, that is said to have occurred at his house in 2021. To be clear, Norman is not the accused party in the suit, however, it is alleged that teenagers at his residence were given alcohol by his wife, Kirsten Kutner, which subsequently led to the inebriation of those involved and as such facilitated the eventual assault.

It is understood that the incident involves a minor who was reportedly a classmate of Norman’s stepdaughter - referred to as Jane Doe - and two other individuals - referred to as M.B. and C.R. in the case. As per court filings, Doe claims she was invited to a party at Norman’s residence where she was provided with alcohol, as well as the two other individuals in question. All parties involved are known to have consumed the alcohol. “After the consumption of lots of alcohol present at the Defendants’ home, Plaintiff was incapable of standing on her own and was seen stumbling around the party,” the lawsuit alleges. “After Plaintiff became visibly inebriated, she was sexually assaulted by both M.B. and C.R. simultaneously while on the grassy area near Defendants’ pool.”

What are the specific allegations facing Greg Norman?

The complaint against Norman goes on to state that, “Defendants breached their duty of care by not safe-guarding or preventing injury to Jane Doe’s health and well-being, including, but not limited to, abusive conduct by other minor invitees resultant in part from the provision of alcoholic beverages to the minor invitees. ...As a result of Defendants’ negligence, Doe suffered bodily injury and resulting pain and suffering, disability, mental anguish, loss of the capacity for the enjoyment of life, expenses for counseling and resulting treatment, loss of earnings, and the loss of the ability to earn money in the future. These losses are permanent, and Jane Doe will suffer losses in the future.” It’s worth noting that Norman’s legal team has maintained that the situation was investigated in full back in 2021 and the case was closed. Aside from that, there has been no word from Norman’s camp, however, it goes without saying that the timing of this situation couldn’t be worse, with LIV Golf and the PGA recently announcing their intentions to merge, following what was already a bitter spat between the two organizations.

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