Disturbing allegations in first lawsuit in SC Rockstar Cheer child sexual assault case

A lawsuit against the estate of Greenville cheerleading gym owner Scott Foster filed Tuesday claims he spent six months talking to one of his cheerleaders in 2020, sent her nude pictures of himself and asked for nude pictures of her before talking her into performing sex acts at his home, in his vehicle, at the gym and in hotels during competitions.

Foster also gave the girl alcohol, the lawsuit says.

The lawsuit is the first of what is expected to be several against Foster and Rockstar Cheer. It was filed in Greenville County by lawyers from Chappell, Smith and Arden of Columbia and Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey of Greenville.

Representing other minors are lawyers from the Strom Law Firm in Columbia joined by Bannister, Wyatt and Stalvey in Greenville and Peter McGrath, of Mount Pleasant.

Foster is also the focus of a federal law enforcement investigation.

Foster killed himself Aug. 22 while he sat in his vehicle at Paris Mountain State Park in Greenville County.

Lawyers have said Foster was aware of the investigation when he committed suicide.

The lawsuit filed Tuesday alleges the girl, who was not named, suffered extensive pain, emotional distress, mental anguish, medical expenses, permanent injury and disability, economic loss, and time away from school and education.

Also named as defendants in the case are Rockstar Cheer, United States All Star Federation, Varsity Spirits and National Center for Safety Initiatives. The federation and Varsity had received complaints about Foster before he became involved with the girl yet failed to act, the lawsuit says.

The lawsuit asks for a jury trial.

Also Tuesday, lawyers from the Strom Law Firm in Columbia and Bannister, Wyatt and Stalvey in Greenville outlined the basics of a lawsuit they expect to file later this week against Foster, Rockstar Cheer, Varsity Sports, and U.S. All Star Federation.

At a news conference, the lawyers said minors were plied with drugs and alcohol, sexually abused, groped and threatened not to tell by Foster.

The lawyers said girls and boys were abused, most of them in Greenville County, but also on road trips to other states for competitions sponsored by U.S. All Star Federation.

Attorney Bakari Sellers of the Strom firm said the minors were sexually abused in bathrooms and hotel rooms.

Sellers declined to say how many people they are representing — multiple — and some are as far away as California.

The U.S. All Star Federation issued a statement Tuesday saying they are “devastated to learn of allegations about potential abuse of All Star athletes in South Carolina and potentially other areas as well.”

“Our organization is dedicated to athlete safety, in all aspects, and has created a strong foundation that relies on athletes, coaches, event producers, and parents to report allegations of prohibited conduct affecting members at events and facilities where our members are present,” the statement said.

They encouraged reporting such allegations to law enforcement and to them at https://www.usasf.net/reporting.

“If you know something, do not assume it has been reported. This assumption is often why things go unreported and therefore are not investigated,” the statement reads. “Keeping athletes safe takes everyone. Now more than ever, everyone needs to come together to create an environment where all members are safe, happy, and have room to grow and be successful.”

This story was originally published August 31, 2022 at 9:21 AM.