CNN primetime host Don Lemon was accused of a weird, sexually charged assault of a bartender in New York’s tony Hamptons final yr in a civil go well with filed earlier this week.
Dustin Hice, of Florida, acknowledged within the lawsuit that he was dwelling within the Hamptons and dealing at The Outdated Range Pub in Sagaponack through the summer season of 2018. On July 15, after closing, Hice claimed he left with the proprietor and colleagues to get together at one other bar, Murf’s Backstreet Tavern, in Sag Harbor, the place they noticed Lemon. Recognizing the newsman, Hice provided to purchase him a vodka drink known as a “lemon drop,” based on the go well with. Lemon declined the provide, Hice claimed, however later approached him contained in the institution.
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“[Lemon] put his hand down the entrance of his personal shorts, and vigorously rubbed his genitalia, eliminated his hand and shoved his index and center fingers into Plaintiff’s mustache and beneath Plaintiff’s nostril,” based on the lawsuit, filed Aug. 11 in Suffolk County Courtroom, and first reported by Mediaite.
CNN anchor Don Lemon has been accused in a lawsuit of assaulting a person in 2018. The community defended its host, saying the accusation was made by man who beforehand had been hostile towards the community. (Scott Olson/Getty Photographs, File)
Lemon allegedly requested a crude query about Hice’s sexual desire, leaving him “shocked and humiliated,” based on the go well with.
CNN denied Hice’s account and mentioned Hice appeared to bear animosity towards the cable information community.
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“The plaintiff on this lawsuit has beforehand displayed a sample of contempt for CNN on his social media accounts,” a CNN spokesperson informed Fox Information in an announcement.
“This declare follows his unsuccessful threats and calls for for an exorbitant sum of money from Don Lemon.
“Don categorically denies these claims and this matter doesn’t advantage any additional remark presently.”
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Within the go well with, Hice additionally mentioned Lemon’s off-screen demeanor was in stark distinction to the “Me Too” advocate who he usually noticed on TV.
“When the cameras are turned off, nonetheless, Mr. Lemon’s actions are in stark and disturbing distinction to the general public persona he makes an attempt to convey,” the go well with reads.
Hice denied going after CNN on social media, telling the New York Submit: “I’ve by no means ever ranted about anybody, particularly a information station. … I’m a non-public, spiritual man.”
Fox Information’ Joseph A. Wulfsohn contributed to this report.