Judge denies change of venue for former Huntington track coach
HUNTINGTON, Ind. (WISH) — A judge in Huntington County has denied a change of venue request from a former Huntington University track coach accused of “Nassar-esque” abuse of women athletes.
A grand jury indicted Nicholas Johnson in March for sexual battery and battery.
No trial date is set for the case.
Johnson, his wife, and the university face a federal lawsuit from three former student-athletes who claim he inappropriately touched them, manipulated them, and injected them with substances.
The suit compares Johnson to both Larry Nassar, who was convicted of rape after being the team doctor of the U.S. women’s national gymnastics team, and the physician for Lance Armstrong, the cycling champion stripped of titles due to blood doping.
Related Coverage
- Former Huntington Univ. coach indicted after claims of ‘Nassar-esque’ athlete abuse
- Expert: Former Huntington University athletes have to prove complaints in sex abuse case
- Huntington places coaches named in lawsuit on administrative leave
- Huntington University alumni call for firing of coaches in sex abuse, doping allegations