Harvard-Westlake Lawsuit, Water Polo Player Aidan Romain Sues School Over Sexual and Racial Abuse Allegations
A civil lawsuit filed February 27, 2026, in Los Angeles County Superior Court accuses Harvard-Westlake School — one of Los Angeles’s most prestigious private high schools — of repeatedly ignoring reports that a star water polo player sexually assaulted a Black freshman teammate and subjected him to daily racial abuse over nearly two years.
The suit names the school, its head water polo coach, its president, and the alleged perpetrator, former Harvard-Westlake player Lucca van der Woude, who admitted to sexual penetration of a minor in juvenile court in November 2024. There is no settlement. This is an active civil lawsuit.
Quick Facts
- Case type: Civil lawsuit — sexual assault, racial harassment, negligence, mandatory reporter violation
- Court: Los Angeles County Superior Court
- Filed: February 27, 2026
- Plaintiff: Aidan Romain, 18 (identified by name in the complaint)
- Defendants: Lucca van der Woude; Harvard-Westlake School; head coach Jack Grover; school president Richard B. Commons
- Alleged abuse period: August 2022 – February 2024
- Van der Woude’s juvenile admission: November 7, 2024 — sexual penetration with a foreign object against a minor
- Status: Active litigation — no settlement, no claim form
- Plaintiff’s attorney: Daniel Watkins
What the Lawsuit Alleges
Sexual Assault in the Pool and on Campus
The lawsuit alleges that during Aidan Romain’s very first varsity practice as a 14-year-old freshman in August 2022, Lucca van der Woude — then one of the most highly recruited water polo players in the country — digitally penetrated him underwater in the school pool.
According to the complaint, the assaults did not stop there. Van der Woude allegedly digitally penetrated Romain in the weight room, in stairwells on campus, and during subsequent practices — continuing until approximately January 2024. The complaint describes a pattern of ambush assaults: van der Woude allegedly approached Romain from behind without warning across multiple locations on the Harvard-Westlake campus.
The lawsuit states that Romain did not immediately report the abuse out of fear of losing his place on the team, the respect of his coaches, and the future he had worked years to build.
A Second Victim Came Forward — and the School Still Didn’t Act
In December 2023, a second Harvard-Westlake player — identified in the complaint only as “Victim Two” — reported that van der Woude had digitally penetrated him underwater during practice on approximately December 14, 2023.
That report prompted Harvard-Westlake deans Sharon Cuseo and Jordan Church to interview both Victim Two and Romain. During that meeting, Romain disclosed for the first time to school officials that van der Woude had also abused him repeatedly. Four other team members denied witnessing anything, and according to the complaint, Cuseo told the students that as a result, the school could not take action.
The lawsuit alleges that Harvard-Westlake never called law enforcement, never contacted the Department of Child and Family Services, and never notified Romain’s parents — despite being legally required to do so as a mandated reporter under California law. Van der Woude was not arrested until February 2024, when the Los Angeles Police Department took him into custody on campus.
Racial Abuse Described as Relentless and Witnessed by Coaches
The complaint further alleges that van der Woude and another unnamed Harvard-Westlake teammate subjected Romain to daily racial abuse throughout his time on the team.
The lawsuit describes this abuse in detail. Romain was allegedly called a racial slur — including the full N-word — nearly every day for approximately five months. Teammates allegedly mocked the color of his skin, told him his ancestors were enslaved, and referred to him as the team’s “secret weapon” in night games because, they claimed, opponents would not be able to see him in the pool due to his complexion. In one alleged incident on or about October 9, 2023, a teammate simulated slavery by whipping Romain in the school weight room.
The complaint states that these comments and conduct occurred in the presence of coaches, including head coach Jack Grover. In one instance, a witness reported that comments about van der Woude’s known pattern of assaulting teammates were made openly in front of coaching staff — and no action was taken.
Coach’s Promises Went Unfulfilled
Romain’s mother reportedly met with coach Grover twice on March 29, 2023, to report her specific concerns about the racial targeting of her son. The lawsuit says Grover appeared sympathetic and promised to personally keep watch over Romain, texting her directly that his eyes were going to be on him.
Despite that assurance, the alleged abuse continued. When Romain’s parents later reported a separate shower assault to Grover, the complaint alleges that athletic director Matt LaCour — after consulting with Grover — responded not by protecting Romain, but by suspending him for four games.
Van der Woude’s Juvenile Court Admission and Continued Career
Van der Woude admitted in Los Angeles County Juvenile Division Court on November 7, 2024, to sexual penetration with a foreign object against a minor. Despite this admission — and despite a no-contact order — he was permitted to transfer to Newport Harbor High School, where he led the team to a CIF championship. He was also recruited to UCLA, the reigning NCAA champion, though he was later informed he would not be admitted after Southern California News Group published its original reporting on the case in March 2025.
Van der Woude also continued to be invited to USA Water Polo national youth development camps and international tournaments after the U.S. Center for SafeSport was informed in April 2024 of the allegations against him. In December 2024, USA Water Polo enlisted him to mentor the next generation of potential Olympians at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee Training Center in Colorado Springs — despite officials being aware of his legal case for at least six months at that point, according to court filings and records obtained by the Southern California News Group.
Harvard-Westlake’s Response
Harvard-Westlake released a statement after the lawsuit was filed, disputing the characterization of events. The school stated that it unequivocally disputes many of the allegations, that it treated reports of inappropriate behavior in its water polo program with urgency and seriousness, that it promptly initiated an investigation, complied with its mandatory reporting obligations, and cooperated completely with law enforcement.
The school did not address the specific timeline of events or the complaint’s allegation that law enforcement was not contacted until van der Woude’s arrest in February 2024 — more than a year after Romain’s mother first reported concerns to the coaching staff.
An attorney for van der Woude did not respond to requests for comment. Grover and Commons also did not respond.
What Are Mandatory Reporting Laws?
California law requires certain professionals — including school employees — to report known or reasonably suspected child abuse or sexual assault to law enforcement or child protective services. Failure to report is a misdemeanor under California Penal Code Section 11166.
The lawsuit alleges Harvard-Westlake violated this obligation on multiple occasions: after the December 2023 meeting where both victims disclosed the assaults, and potentially earlier when Romain’s parents reported the shower incident to Grover.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Harvard-Westlake water polo lawsuit about?
A civil lawsuit filed in February 2026 alleges that former Harvard-Westlake player Lucca van der Woude repeatedly sexually assaulted a Black freshman teammate named Aidan Romain, and that the school failed to report the abuse to law enforcement or child protective services as required by California law.
Did Lucca van der Woude admit to the assault?
Yes. Van der Woude admitted in Los Angeles County Juvenile Division Court on November 7, 2024, to sexual penetration with a foreign object against a minor.
Who is Aidan Romain?
Aidan Romain is an 18-year-old former Harvard-Westlake water polo player. He was 14 years old when the alleged assaults began during his first varsity practice as a freshman in August 2022. He is identified by name in the complaint filed on his behalf.
What is Harvard-Westlake School?
Harvard-Westlake is a private college preparatory school with campuses in Studio City and Bel Air, Los Angeles. It is widely regarded as one of the most academically selective and athletically competitive high schools in California.
Is there a settlement or claim form?
No. This is an active civil lawsuit in its early stages. There is no settlement, no claim form, and no payment process at this time.
What happened to van der Woude after the juvenile admission?
Despite his juvenile court admission and a no-contact order, van der Woude transferred to Newport Harbor High School, led that team to a CIF title, was recruited by UCLA, and continued participating in USA Water Polo national development camps. He was later informed he would not be admitted to UCLA following press coverage of the case in March 2025.
Do I need to do anything right now?
No action is required. This page will be updated as the litigation develops.
Last Updated: March 7, 2026
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The allegations described in this article are claims made in an active civil lawsuit and have not been proven in court. For legal advice about a specific situation, consult a qualified attorney.
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
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