A Covington couple was recently named in a lawsuit following reports of alleged abuse in the online dating world. The lawsuit, which was filed in federal court in Washington State, alleges that the Covingtons engaged in a pattern of behavior that made them uniquely vulnerable to exploitation.
The lawsuit, which was filed by The Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund, alleges that Rosco Cotten and Candice Malcom, residents of Covington, Washington, engaged in a pattern of abuse when they applied for a match on the popular site Bumble. The lawsuit alleges that the Covingtons exploited their significant age differences and their positions of power over their matches to conduct a years-long campaign of abuse, including threats, insults, and even rape.
The lawsuit alleges that the Covingtons engaged in a pattern of grooming their victims, using their age and social status as a way to gain access to them. They would use their social media profiles to interact with their victims, and would often engage in unsolicited sexual advances, including sexually explicit language and material.
The lawsuit alleges that the Covingtons used their social power to isolate their victims, creating a cycle of abuse that left them feeling helpless and trapped. The lawsuit alleges that the Covingtons subjected their victims to a stream of abuse, ranging from name-calling to physical abuse.
The lawsuit seeks damages for the victims’ emotional distress and physical harm, as well as statutory and punitive damages for the Covingtons’ alleged abuse and exploitation.
The lawsuit has been met with widespread condemnation and support from both the media and the public. The Covingtons’ alleged behaviors come at a time when the #MeToo movement and increased awareness of sexual misconduct in the workplace have brought to light issues of power dynamics and trust in the online dating world.
While the case is still in its early stages of litigation, the allegations contained in the lawsuit bring to light a tragic and troubling trend in online dating and one that the #MeToo movement has worked constantly to highlight.
As more and more voices come forward with allegations of abuse and exploitation in the online dating world, we must continue to support victims and hold perpetrators accountable. Let’s hope that this lawsuit serves as a powerful reminder of the power imbalances in this space and of the need for greater accountability and protections for victims.
In the meantime, let’s continue to spread awareness and support for victims of online dating abuse, and encourage victims who have yet to come forward to do so. We must hold abusers and enablers accountable, and work to create a world where abuse is not tolerated and predators are punished to diminish the risk to all.

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