John Gobin, a polo legend who runs polo schools in Wellington, FL, South Carolina, and Virginia, has been named in a lawsuit filed by a 19-year-old woman, who claims Gobin raped her more than 35 times between 2021 and 2023 at his polo properties in Virginia.
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Born and raised in Massachusetts, Gobin began playing polo in high school at the age of 15. He trained in Argentina between the ages of 17 to 19 to become a pro and began his professional career playing with polo patron Geoffrey Kent, the founder of luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent. At the peak of his career, he was a highly respected player with an 8-goal rating.
Victim claims Gobin also assaulted other women
The woman filing the lawsuit, known only as “Jane Doe,” said that Gobin often pressured other underage female employees to drink alcohol, demeaned them about their bodies, and threatened to “tarnish” their reputations if they spoke out against him. She was only 16 when Gobin hired her to tend horses at his polo school.
“Jane Doe” said that Gobin initially was generous, supplementing her $80/day salary with free polo lessons, tournament play, and free boarding for her horses. However, she also claims that while driving her home from work at times, he would try to touch her legs, kiss her, and discuss having sexual encounters with another 16-year-old employee.
In 2021, on two occasions, the woman said Gobin gave her and another teenaged employee alcohol after their work shifts had ended. After making promises to give the teens advantages in polo competitions, she said Gobin led the girls to a grassy area near a pavilion, laid down a towel and raped them. It’s illegal in Virginia for someone 18 or older to have sex with a 16-year-old. In the two years that followed, “Jane doe” said she and Gobin had many sexual encounters, after which she would receive gifts of cash or polo perks. Gobin also insisted she delete the texts they sent to each other.
Polo star denies allegations; says he’s the “victim”
In a countersuit filed last month, Gobin said “Jane doe” falsely accused him at the request of a jilted ex-business partner. However, nowhere in the lawsuit does it mention why five other employees described a pattern of sexual misconduct by Gobin in anonymous interviews with the Washington Post last month. According to Gobin, “They’re trying to ruin my life.”
Matthew Sorensen, the attorney for Gobin’s former business partner, Whitney Ross, said “Mr. Gobin’s claims against Miss Ross are unfounded and appear to have been brought for the sole purpose of harassment and intimidation. Ms. Ross intends to defend this matter vigorously.” Ross began working for Gobin in 2012 and quickly rose up the ranks at his Twilight Polo Club. Over a period of ten years, she became his managing partner, and was often showcased alongside him in magazines. Gobin said their relationship – which he described as romantic as well as professional – ended “badly” in 2023, saying her behavior became “increasingly unhinged.”
Presently, Gobin is seeking $15 million in damages. “Jane Doe” has only asked for $5 million. GOLDLAW will continue to follow this story.
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