On Friday, June 6, the Irvine-based USA Water Polo organization, along with another private water polo club, International Water Polo Club, were named as defendants in a $13.8 million settlement over sexual assault accusations that involved more than a dozen female high school water polo players in Orange County.

In a statement obtained by Irvine Weekly, Chris Ramsey, Chief Executive Officer of USA Water Polo, said he hopes the settlement will allow the victims to “begin a new chapter.” In his statement, Ramsey added that he first learned of the alleged abuse in 2018, but that the abuse had been occurring since 2012.

“We have heard the plaintiffs’ testimony, and their allegations are heartbreaking,” Ramsey’s statement read. “These are young women who have grown up in the USA Water Polo family. We hope that this allows them to begin a new chapter in their lives. As an organization that prides itself on member safety policies that aim to prevent abuse, their allegations underscore – alongside our partnership with the U.S. Center for SafeSport – that there is always more work to be done. It is also a serious reminder to our water polo community that we must all remain vigilant to identify and report abuse.”

Ramsey also affirmed his commitment to protecting children from abuse.

“We are committed to protecting kids from any abuse,” Ramsey said. “It is USAWP’s policy to take immediate action when, as in this case, USAWP learns about allegations of misconduct. As a sport, we are committed to the safety and fair treatment of both child and adult athletes. To do so, we are equally committed to working collaboratively with our members in providing them with the best support and resources to keep all athletes safe.”

Morgan Stewart, an attorney with Manly, Stewart & Finaldi law firm, said he represented the majority of the plaintiffs involved in the case. Stewart said there were 13 total plaintiffs in the case.

Bahram Hojreh, a former University High School Water Polo Coach, was also named in the settlement.

Stewart explained that Hojreh, owner of the International Water Polo Club, worked as a water polo coach inside the Irvine Unified School District and Anaheim Union School District, adding that Hojreh was fired from IUSD for abusive behavior.

“There were eight cases pending between the 12 girls — there was actually 13 total plaintiffs, two of the plaintiffs were related to victims at Uni(versity) High School, inside the Irvine Unified School District, when [Hojreh] was a coach there, he was fired or resigned depending on who you ask,” he said. “They were victims while they were attending Uni(versity) High School while he was a coach.”

All the victims are listed as Jane Doe.

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