U.S. Masters Swimming, which allowed men to compete in women’s events, said that it was fully cooperating with the attorney general’s investigation.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued an adult swimming organization last week after it allowed transgender athletes to compete at a women’s spring meet in San Antonio, with one getting first place in multiple events.
Paxton’s July 16 suit contains five counts of legal allegations against U.S. Masters Swimming (USMS), stating that it “undermined the trust of consumers through false, deceptive, and misleading practices.”
The suit alleges that USMS created “confusion or misunderstanding as to the source, sponsorship, approval, or certification of goods or services” by leading consumers to believe the events were open to “biological women” only.Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued an adult swimming organization last week after it allowed transgender athletes to compete at a women’s spring meet in San Antonio, with one getting first place in multiple events.
Paxton’s July 16 suit contains five counts of legal allegations against U.S. Masters Swimming (USMS), stating that it “undermined the trust of consumers through false, deceptive, and misleading practices.”
The suit alleges that USMS created “confusion or misunderstanding as to the source, sponsorship, approval, or certification of goods or services” by leading consumers to believe the events were open to “biological women” only.
It said the defendants failed to disclose that their “women’s sporting events were actually mixed sporting events” that allowed men who identified as women to compete.
The lawsuit also alleges that USMS “knew that if consumers knew that males were competing in their women’s competitions,” then “biological females” would forgo participation in the events.
Paxton’s suit also operates as a lien notice on the swimming organization’s property within Texas.
In filing the lawsuit, the attorney general is asking the court for $10,000 in civil penalties, permanent injunctive relief, attorneys’ fees and expenses, and “any and all further relief to which the State may be entitled.”
USMS responded to Paxton’s allegations in a statement, saying it was fully cooperating with the attorney general’s investigation.
By Jacob Burg