If you’re a coach and you decide to duct tape a kid’s mouth shut and then post pictures of it to Facebook and that kid’s mom used to be a lawyer, you’re going to have a bad time.
That’s what Lori Palmieri accuses her daughter’s gymnastics coach of doing. Palmieri is now suing Tracy Maggiacomo, the coach, and her employer, Victory Gymnastics Training Center in Oldsmar, for damages suffered by her daughter, Marisa Palmieri, from being “exploited” by the photos.
Palmieri is a retired prosecutor, but the case is being handled by an outside attorney.
It’s not clear how much in damages the family is seeking, but according to lawsuit documents it’s in excess of $15,000.
The photo in question does not appear to be on Maggiacomo’s Facebook page. The date provided in lawsuit filings say the incident happened on or around July 22, 2014. There are several photos during that time on Maggiacomo’s Facebook page. Many of the photos include gymnastics students performing or practicing, but none show a pupil with duct tape over her mouth.
The absence of a photo now does not mean it was never present. Maggiacomo could have since deleted the photo.
It’s unclear what evidence the Palmieri family has to prove the incident.
Maggiacomo is still listed as the recreational program director and team and tumbling coach for Victory.
