(hennemusic) KISS co-founder and bassist Gene Simmons has spoken out after reportedly being sued by an unnamed California broadcaster for sexual misconduct following an alleged incident that took place during a recent on-camera interview in Highland, CA
The San Bernardino Sun reports the suit, filed December 15, alleges the 68-year-old rocker made unwarranted sexual advances during a November 1 interview at the San Manuel Casino location of a new Rock & Brews restaurant with co-owners Simmons and bandmate Paul Stanley.
According to the lawsuit, during an interview which occurred on a couch in a designated "green room," Simmons reached over and grabbed the woman's hand and "forcefully placed it on his knee and held it on his knee." The lawsuit states the woman immediately removed her hand from Simmons' knee, but he continued his "unwanted, unwarranted sexual advances" by reaching for the woman's hand again.
"Defendant Simmons turned standard interview questions into sexual innuendos, which made plaintiff Jane Doe extremely uncomfortable," according to the lawsuit, noting that Simmons grabbed the woman's hand again, made a cooing sound and said she "must use lotion" before making another sexual innuendo. He then "forcibly flicked/struck" the woman in the middle of her throat, then provided an "incoherent explanation" for doing it after noticing the woman's shock, according to the lawsuit.
Following the interview, the woman posed with Simmons for a promotional photograph. That's when Simmons "reached toward Plaintiff Doe's buttocks and touched it," according to the lawsuit. "Again, Plaintiff Doe kept her composure and discreetly moved away," the lawsuit states. "They took the pictures, but Plaintiff Doe declined the invitation to 'stay around.'"
Simmons responded to the lawsuit via his social media sites, writing, "Friends, I intend to defend myself against any alleged charges you may have been reading about in the media. For the record, I did not assault the person making these accusations in the manner alleged in the complaint or harm her in any way. I am conferring with my lawyers with the aim of vigorously countering these allegations. And I look forward to my day in court where the evidence will prove my innocence." Read more here.
Gene Simmons To Play First Post KISS Show This Week
Gene Simmons' First Post-KISS Performance Announced
Ozzy, Slash, Brian May, Gene Simmons Tribute David Bowie on This Day In Rock 2016
KISS Star Paul Stanley Reflects On Relationship With Gene Simmons - 2023 In Review
$200 Million Being Invested In KISS Avatars Says Gene
Copyright 2023 Iconoclast Entertainment Group All rights reserved.