In February 2022, Michael Mozilo became the subject of a significant legal case that brings to light the troubling intersection of privilege, power, and institutional negligence. The lawsuit, filed by John Doe, a former student-athlete at Loyola Marymount University (LMU), accuses Mozilo, a fellow golfer, of harassment and bullying. The suit also implicates LMU for failing to take proper action against these allegations, revealing how wealth and influence can often overshadow the safety and well-being of students in collegiate athletics.
The Impact of Wealth and Privilege: Michael Mozilo’s Role in the Golf Team
John Doe’s journey began in 2018, when he received an athletic scholarship to join LMU’s golf team. Coming from a modest background, Doe immediately became one of the top performers on the team. However, despite his skill, he faced social exclusion from his teammates, most of whom came from wealthy, privileged families. This created a divide between Doe and the other team members, leading to his marginalization.
In the same year, Michael Mozilo joined the team, reportedly not due to his athletic ability but because of a large financial donation his father made to the university. This donation, the lawsuit claims, allowed Mozilo to gain a spot on the team, and with it, a sense of entitlement that led him to bully Doe.
The Allegations of Harassment and Privacy Invasion
The lawsuit outlines a particularly disturbing event during a golf team trip in October 2018. While John Doe was in a hotel bathroom taking a bath, Michael Mozilo allegedly barged in, activated his phone’s camera, and filmed Doe while he was nude. When Doe asked Mozilo to stop, Mozilo reportedly ignored him, continuing to taunt him.
The harassment escalated the next day. While the team was being driven back to the airport by coach Jason D’Amore, Mozilo allegedly showed the video to the rest of the team, humiliating Doe further. He also threatened to post the video on social media, causing additional distress to Doe. Despite being present during the incident, Coach D’Amore did nothing to intervene, a failure that has been highlighted as a serious breach of duty in the lawsuit.
Michael Mozilo’s Privilege and Loyola Marymount University’s Role
At the core of the lawsuit is Michael Mozilo’s privileged status, which the suit claims was heavily influenced by his family’s wealth. According to the lawsuit, Mozilo’s wealth enabled him to act without fear of consequence, as the university’s focus on financial donations led them to overlook the mistreatment Doe endured. The university is accused of ignoring the harassment, allowing Mozilo to continue his behavior unchecked, thus demonstrating a lack of commitment to the safety and well-being of students like Doe.
Coach D’Amore’s Negligence and the Duty to Protect
Coach Jason D’Amore is also named in the lawsuit for failing to act against Mozilo’s behavior. The lawsuit suggests that D’Amore ignored the public humiliation Doe faced and did not intervene when it was clear that Mozilo’s actions were harming him. This inaction is seen as a serious violation of D’Amore’s responsibility to protect the students under his care.
When a coach allows bullying and harassment to continue unchecked, it sends the message that such behavior will be tolerated, further compounding the harm caused to vulnerable students.
The Larger Issue: The Role of Power and Money in College Athletics
This case involving Michael Mozilo is not just about one individual’s actions; it speaks to a larger issue within college athletics: the influence of money and power. Universities like LMU often rely heavily on donations from wealthy alumni and families, which can create a conflict of interest when it comes to protecting students. Mozilo’s financial influence, the lawsuit claims, allowed him to avoid facing consequences for his actions, while students like Doe, who lack similar resources, are left unprotected.
The Responsibility of Loyola Marymount University: Legal and Ethical Considerations
The central issue in this case is Loyola Marymount University’s duty to protect its students. The lawsuit argues that the university failed to intervene despite knowing about the harassment, highlighting how financial influence can sometimes lead universities to ignore their responsibility to keep students safe. The case questions the ethics of prioritizing financial donations over student safety and well-being, emphasizing that universities must do more than just educate—they must ensure that their students are treated with respect.
Legal and Social Implications: The Impact on College Sports
The ongoing lawsuit between Michael Mozilo and John Doe could set an important legal precedent for how universities handle harassment and abuse in their sports programs. If the court rules in Doe’s favor, it would send a strong message to colleges and universities that student safety should always come first, regardless of an athlete’s financial background or athletic status.
This case also highlights the need for universities to develop clear, effective policies to address harassment, protect student privacy, and hold coaches and athletes accountable for their actions.
Conclusion: University Accountability in the Future
The Michael Mozilo case is a wake-up call about the intersection of privilege, power, and financial influence in collegiate sports. It underscores the need for universities to create environments where all students, regardless of background, are treated with dignity and respect.
As the case unfolds, it may prompt broader discussions about how colleges should handle harassment, the role of financial donations in shaping student-athlete experiences, and the responsibilities institutions have to protect vulnerable students. The outcome of this lawsuit could have a lasting impact on the future of college athletics, particularly when it comes to holding universities accountable for their treatment of students.
