Harassment Allegations and Legal Battles in West Virginia Athletics
Joshua Bullock, an attorney from the ACLU, recently sidestepped questions about comments made by West Virginia Attorney General John McCaskey regarding harassment allegations against a transgender athlete who is Bullock’s client.
McCaskey is heading the state’s defense in a legal battle concerning a lawsuit from trans athletes aimed at blocking a new state law that prevents biological males from competing in women’s sports. At a news conference, McCaskey remarked, “As a parent, you should consider the implications of your child facing harassment. This isn’t just about our case; harassment of any kind against children goes against our values. It’s wrong, and we all need to work together to ensure our children are safe, especially in competitive environments.”
After Tuesday’s Supreme Court arguments, Fox News Digital tried to speak with Bullock about McCaskey’s remarks. Initially, Bullock walked away and posed for pictures with his clients. Further attempts to question him were obstructed by his assistant.
The allegations against the transgender athlete were made by Adaleia Cross, a student from Bridgeport High School and former teammate during their middle school years. Cross’s mother, Abby, shared her daughter’s claims about graphic threats made by the trans athlete while they were in the girls’ locker room during the 2022-2023 school year.
An ACLU representative, however, denied these claims. They stated, “Our client and her mother reject these allegations. The district’s investigation deemed them unfounded. We are committed to upholding the rights of all students under Title IX, ensuring a safe and inclusive environment free from harassment.”
In response, the legal team for the Cross family from the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) asserted, “Our client has testified under oath multiple times regarding her experience with the male athlete. Because of this, [Cross] had to leave the sport she loved, forfeiting significant aspects of her school experience to ensure her safety.”
The transgender athlete also denied the accusations, stating, “I wasn’t raised that way.” A letter from the Harrison County School District indicated that an investigation found Cross’s allegations to be “unsubstantiated.” The Cross family claimed they reported the supposed harassment but did not see any subsequent actions taken against the transgender athlete.
Adaleia expressed frustration, stating, “I was told there would be a thorough investigation, but then it seemed to just disappear. There was no follow-up or communication from the school.” Her father, Holden, echoed her sentiment, noting a lack of feedback after their report.
Fox News Digital has made several attempts to obtain documents concerning the school’s investigation from both the ACLU and the Harrison County School District, but requests have yet to be fulfilled.
In a related incident, Emmy Salerno, a former track and field athlete, claimed that she faced intimidation from a transgender athlete after she declined to compete against them during the spring 2024 season. Salerno and four other girls withdrew from a shot put event, which resulted in disqualification for their team. She described feeling pressured and noted a social media post that seemed to target her specifically.
Salerno voiced her concerns about feeling watched during a local basketball game by the transgender athlete, raising fears of potential conflict.
While the ACLU has not addressed Salerno’s claims, she avoided competing against trans athletes in the following season, instead opting to prevent her team from facing penalties.
Salerno mentioned hearing discussions among peers regarding allegations of sexual harassment against transgender athletes, although she clarified that she has not personally encountered this situation.
As the legal and social implications of these cases unfold, the dialogue around inclusivity, safety, and fairness in school sports continues to evolve.
