Northborough man faces charges that he sexually assaulted student-athletes
LOWELL — A Northborough man who was an athletic trainer at Lowell High School is accused of sexually assaulting student-athletes, authorities said.
Damon Amato, 42, was arraigned on Jan. 23 in Middlesex Superior Court in Woburn on three counts of indecent assault and battery on a person over 14, according to the Middlesex District Attorney's Office. The incidents were alleged to have involved two female student-athletes whom Amato was treating in his role as an athletic trainer.
The District Attorney's Office did not detail the allegations other than to say they involved "inappropriate touching."In a letter to parents, Lowell Superintendent of Schools Joel D. Boyd did not name Amato by name but said an officer for Bay State Athletic Training was charged with the assaults.
Bay State Athletic Training was founded in 2020 by Amato and is contracted by Lowell Public Schools to provide athletic training for its school district.
"As a result, we have formally notified the corporation we will be terminating our contract with them," Boyd wrote. "Please know the safety of our students and staff continues to be our top priority. Immediately upon learning of the allegations, the individual referenced above was ordered to remain off school grounds entirely and directed to have no contact with students whatsoever while police conducted their investigation."
More:Natick police sergeant pleads guilty to three counts of indecent assault, battery
According to Amato's LinkedIn page, he has been working as an athletic trainer at Lowell High School since August 2004. It also indicates that he was an adjunct professor at Lasell University in Newton.
In a statement, Lasell said Amato has not worked for the college since 2016 and was never a full-time staff member.
Amato could not be reached for comment. His lawyer, Claudia Lagos, said her client is innocent.
"Damon Amato is completely innocent," she said. "He is a highly respected and highly qualified athletic trainer, who has helped almost 25,000 athletes in the past 18 years. The allegations he now faces are false, through and through. Mr. Amato’s family, community, former athletes and colleagues stand by him as he fights this case. At trial, it will be clear that the government has no case and he will be acquitted. "
Amato was released without bail after his arraignment. The conditions for his release were to stay away and have no contact with the alleged victims or witnesses; to stay away from Lowell High School; to not leave the state; to not perform athletic training at any school; and to have no unsupervised athletic training with adults.
Amato is due back in court on Feb. 17 for a scheduling conference.
Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date public safety news, follow him on Twitter @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at faecbook.com/NormanMillerCrime.
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Northborough man faces charges he assaulted student-athletes in Lowell
