Palm Beach County Man Facing Civil Sexual Assault Lawsuit Over Alleged Incident at Polo Club in Virginia

According to a report from WPTV, a Palm Beach County man is facing a $5 million civil sexual assault lawsuit related to allegations over an alleged incident at a polo club in the Commonwealth of Virginia. John Gobin—now of West Palm Beach—is alleged to have committed a sex-based offense against a 16-year-old girl. He has not been found liable. Here, our Palm Beach County civil sexual assault and battery attorney provides an overview of the allegations.

The Allegations: Sexual Assault of Teenager at Polo Club in Virginia

 As reported by WPTV and other news outlets, John Gobin is facing a sexual misconduct allegation. A resident of West Palm Beach, Mr. Gobin is facing a civil sexual assault lawsuit in Virginia. According to the allegations raised in that civil complaint, Mr. Gobin committed a sexual offense against a 16-year old polo player who was also an employee of the facility.

An attorney for the unnamed victim—a Jane Doe plaintiff—alleges that Mr. Gobin used his power and influence to pressure her into sex. She was underage at the time. In both Virginia and Florida, the age of consent is 18. He then allegedly paid her to remain quiet. That lawsuit alleges at least 15 different specific acts. The victim is seeking $5 million in the civil claim.

Notably, while the alleged sexual misconduct started at a facility in Virginia and most of the offenses are alleged to have happened there, at least one act is also alleged at Mr. Gobin’s residence in West Palm Beach, Florida. Mr. Gobin has denied any wrongdoing through his legal representatives and has filed a counterclaim for defamation.

 What is a Jane Doe Plaintiff in a Civil Sexual Assault Case? 

A “Jane Doe” plaintiff in a civil sexual assault case is a person (or persons) who opts to file a lawsuit using a pseudonym instead of her real name. The practice is used to protect the plaintiff’s privacy and safety—particularly in sensitive cases involving sexual assault or abuse. The use of a pseudonym helps shield the plaintiff from potential harassment, stigma, and/or any retaliation that might arise from the public disclosure of their identity. Courts typically allow this anonymity to preserve the victim’s dignity and to encourage the reporting of such crimes without fear of public exposure. However, the decision to allow a plaintiff to proceed as “Jane Doe” is at the discretion of the court. In Florida, minors in civil sexual assault cases are always allowed to proceed as Jane Doe plaintiffs.

 Contact Our West Palm Beach, FL Civil Sexual Assault Lawyer Today

At Pike & Lustig, LLP, we are committed to protecting the rights of victims and their families. If you or your loved one was the victim of sexual assault, a civil claim may be an option for justice. Contact us today to set up a free, completely private consultation. Our firm represents victims throughout Palm Beach County, including in West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, and Palm Beach Gardens.

Source:

wptv.com/news/palm-beach-county/well-known-polo-player-trainer-accused-of-sexually-assaulting-underage-girls