Student, Targeted By Malvern Prep Guidance Counselor, Files Lawsuit: Reports

A student who was the target of unwanted sexual advances from a staff member at Malvern Prep has filed a lawsuit against the school, the staff member, and a non-profit swim club associated with the school, according to multiple media reports.

Emily Feeney, 40, of Wayne, pleaded guilty in March in connection to sending the student “highly sexualized” text messages and emails, all while the student told her repeatedly to stop.

The student, who was 16 at the time of the incidents, was coached on that swim team by Feeney. He said that Feeney's abuse has harmed his chances at qualifying for the 2016 Olympic Trials, according to Philly.com .

The lawsuit alleges that the school and swim club did not provide enough supervision over Feeney, even after the student filed a complaint, Delco Times reports.

Feeney has been sentenced to five years of probation.

In addition to her role as swim coach, Feeney was a guidance counselor at Malvern Prep, a private, all-boys high school, for nearly two years, according to the Chester County District Attorney's Office.

The victim was also assigned to Feeney as his college guidance counselor.

The assault began in the summer of 2014, authorities said.

According to the district attorney’s office, the subsequent investigation revealed Feeney had kissed the victim, and had emailed him photographs of herself in various stages of undress, including a topless photo.

One email reportedly sent from Feeney to the victim read, “I adore you – always have, always will.”

According to Hogan, when the student rebuffed her, Feeney sent another email: “You can either start talking to me again and respond to me, or we can discuss this in my office Monday. If you ever cared about me, please don’t shut me out. It’s too painful.”

The victim reportedly told her to stop, writing back: “I’m not interested in you end of story I’m 16 I’m not into you.”

On another occasion, Feeney allegedly used her position as guidance counselor to promise him admission to Harvard University, through her various professional connections, in order to coerce him into a physical relationship, the DA said.

According to Hogan, Feeney forwarded a message she received from Harvard University regarding the victim being a candidate for the Ivy League school’s swim team, adding “You [victim’s name] owe me big time. And no high fives.”

On yet another occasion, officials said Feeney texted the victim this message: “If you’d just stop fighting and let it happen, you’d be a lot less uptight and much happier.”

In all, investigators found hundreds of emails between Feeney and the student on her computer, many of which were “nonprofessional and sexually suggestive,” the DA's office said. Feeney used her official school email account to send the alleged correspondence to the student’s private account.

Photo: Emily Feeney. Courtesy of the Chester County District Attorney’s Office.