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    • Well-known polo player, coach accused of sexually assaulting underage girls
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    Well-known polo player, coach accused of sexually assaulting underage girls

    Online Niel Posted on

    PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — A well-known name in the polo world is facing serious allegations of sexual assault involving underage girls.

    Elite polo player turned coach John Gobin lives in West Palm Beach. He is charged with sex crimes and is the subject of a civil lawsuit for his alleged actions at his training facility in Virginia.

    This Virginia civil lawsuit seeks more than $5 million from Gobin, accusing him of sexual crimes against a 16-year-old player and employee at his Virginia polo center.

    “We’re suing him for statutory rape,” said attorney Ari Wilkenfeld, who represents the victim.

    Attorney Ari Wilkenfeld talks about the lawsuit against John Gobin.png

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    Attorney Ari Wilkenfeld claims in the lawsuit that the 55-year-old used his position and influence in the sport to pressure the victim into sex, in many cases by paying her later.

    Wilkenfeld claims in the lawsuit that the 55-year-old used his position and influence in the sport to pressure her into sex, in many cases by paying her later.

    “It was an easy decision to get involved in this case on behalf of the client,” Wilkenfeld said.

    The lawsuit said “plaintiff was raped by Gobin more than 15 times.”

    Wilkenfeld said the last straw for the victim was in West Palm Beach, where Gobin lives and where some of the alleged encounters took place. The lawsuit alleges the victim allegedly saw Gobin inappropriately touch a friend and colleague during a dinner party. Then the victim gave up.

    statement from attorney August McCarthy regarding John Gobin's sexual assault allegations.png

    WPTV

    Attorney August McCarthy said his client, John Gobin, denies any wrongdoing.

    “It could be anybody’s child,” Wilkenfeld said. “That could be my baby. It could be someone else who cares about his child. I think we can make a difference here.”

    I contacted Gobin’s attorney, who filed a defamation countersuit.

    In addition to the lawsuit, the Faquier County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia confirms Gobin was charged in June with two misdemeanor counts of having consensual sex with a child over the age of 15.

    Gobin’s attorney said his client denies any wrongdoing. Telling WPTV in a statement the following:

    “The two charges you refer to in your voicemail are misdemeanor charges based on statements made by two women who used to play polo with Mr. Gobin’s club. They changed their story several times. But based on the allegations, it appears they now claim Mr Gobin had consensual sex with them years ago, before he turned 18. These claims are completely false. The women themselves have admitted that these claims are not true. They are trying to extort money from Mr. Gobin by lying about him. They have admitted to third parties that they see this as a way to get rich. We intend to expose these lies when these matters eventually go to court. In the meantime, it does Mr. Gobin and the public a disservice for you to breathe more life into these lies. I hope you will emphasize in your coverage that these claims have not been substantiated, that Mr. Gobin categorically denies the allegations, and that he is presumed innocent of these charges.”

    The United States Polo Association is also named in the lawsuit as one of the defendants. The association sent the following statement in which it says:

    “The USPA charged player member John Gobin with a membership conduct violation based on allegations that Mr. Gobin engaged in sexual contact with women then under the age of 18 on multiple occasions. Mr. Gobin denied the allegations and the charge. Pending an appealable ruling on the underlying allegations, the USPA agreed to postpone the special meeting of the Board at which the allegations against Mr. Gobin would be considered. During the USPA disciplinary matter, Mr. Gobin agreed to comply with the USPA Youth Protection Policy with an amended definition of “Youth, which covers any person under the age of 18 who is not a Grade I or II. -degree relatives.”

    Gobin has two outstanding warrants from Virginia, but the sheriff’s office there has no plans to extradite him because the charges are misdemeanors.

    They said he would be arrested if he returned to Virginia.

    Online Niel
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