Jane Doe v. Thomas Incantalupo

Attorneys Michael Hall III, Kate Hockin, and David Pagel of Hall Law P.A. secured a $12.5 million jury verdict against former U.S. Figure Skating coach Thomas Incantalupo in a civil case involving the sexual abuse of a minor athlete. 

The case centered on allegations that Incantalupo sexually abused his student, identified as Jane Doe, from age 14 until age 16. Incantalupo began coaching Jane Doe when she was nine years old, establishing a long-term coach-athlete relationship before the abuse began. The abuse occurred while he served as a coach for the Braemar Figure Skating Club and later the Eden Prairie Figure Skating Club. According to the allegations, nearly all of the abuse was perpetrated during local or overnight travel to skating-related events and activities, with much of it occurring in local hotels in Eden Prairie.

Discovery in the case revealed a pattern of suspicious behavior. Incantalupo, who lived in the area, had repeatedly booked short hotel stays in Eden Prairie during the period of abuse, raising questions about his motives for these local accommodations.

The two-week trial began Oct. 27, 2025, and presented significant challenges for the legal team. Despite having previously pleaded guilty to sexually abusing Jane Doe in criminal proceedings, the 55-year-old Incantalupo recanted his guilty plea during the civil trial and denied the abuse occurred. In his defense, he claimed for the first time in his life that he had been secretly gay his entire adult life and that his frequent bookings at local hotels were unrelated to sexual abuse, asserting instead they provided a safe location to smoke marijuana.

Hall, lead attorney on the case, along with Hockin and Pagel, presented evidence to counter the defendant’s claims and establish accountability for the abuse Jane Doe suffered as a minor athlete under Incantalupo’s coaching authority. The case highlighted vulnerabilities young athletes face in coach-athlete relationships and the importance of protecting minors in competitive sports environments.

The jury awarded $10 million in compensatory damages and $2.5 million in punitive damages, reflecting the egregious nature of the conduct and bringing accountability to a case involving the exploitation of a minor athlete by a trusted authority figure.