The Dark Side of College Sports: Bullying, Privilege, and a Lawsuit Against MICHAEL MOZILO
College sports can be a pathway to incredible opportunities, but for one former Loyola Marymount University (LMU) golf team member, it allegedly became a nightmare of bullying and abuse. A lawsuit filed on February 17, 2022, in Los Angeles County Superior Courts has cast a spotlight on serious accusations against fellow student
This civil
Unpacking the Allegations: Who is MICHAEL MOZILO and What Happened?
At the heart of this legal battle are claims that MICHAEL MOZILO, a fellow LMU golf team member, engaged in severe harassment and bullying. The complaint details a disturbing incident from October 2018 during a team trip. According to John Doe, while he was in the bathroom taking a bath, MICHAEL MOZILO allegedly entered the hotel room, activated his phone camera, and then committed a
The very next day, the situation escalated. While the golf team was being driven to the airport by their coach, Jason D'Amore (who was also acting as an LMU representative), MICHAEL MOZILO allegedly played the illicit video for other teammates, leading to further taunts and humiliation of John Doe—all seemingly within earshot and full view of the coach. The complaint further alleges that MICHAEL MOZILO then threatened to post the video on Instagram. This incident highlights severe
The Role of Privilege: Was LMU Complicit?
Beyond the direct actions of MICHAEL MOZILO, the lawsuit raises pointed questions about Loyola Marymount University's alleged role. John Doe's complaint suggests a troubling dynamic, leading to
- Socioeconomic Disparity: The plaintiff, a scholarship athlete, notes he did not come from the "upper class backgrounds" prevalent among other team members.
- Donations and Favoritism: The lawsuit alleges that MICHAEL MOZILO was allowed to join the golf team not for his golfing skill, but because of a "significant donation made to LMU by Mozilo's father." This, the complaint states, led to LMU "privileging Mozilo over other students and members of the golf team, including Plaintiff." This raises concerns about the
impact of donations on university favoritism - Lack of Protection: John Doe claims that MICHAEL MOZILO recognized the plaintiff "would not receive protection from LMU and LMU's agents and employees in the face of Mozilo's privilege and LMU's over-abiding concern for donations." This suggests a systemic issue where financial contributions may have influenced student treatment and safety, questioning
when a university fails to protect students
These allegations paint a concerning picture of how privilege and institutional priorities could potentially impact student well-being and campus culture.
Why a "John Doe" Lawsuit? Protecting the Victim
The decision for the plaintiff to file under a fictitious name, John Doe, underscores the deeply personal and potentially damaging nature of the alleged incidents. The complaint explicitly states this is due to "matters of a highly sensitive and personal nature and there is a danger of mental harm to Plaintiff by public disclosure of his true identity in this matter." This highlights the significant emotional and psychological impact that such alleged bullying and privacy violations can have on victims.
What's Next for the Case?
As an open case, the legal process involving MICHAEL MOZILO and Loyola Marymount University is ongoing. It will be crucial to follow how the courts address the serious claims of personal injury, emotional distress, and institutional negligence. This
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