UPDATE: KISS bassist Gene Simmons defends himself against accusations in a lawsuit that says he groped and made “unwanted, unwarranted sexual advances” on an unnamed radio and television broadcaster.
“Friends, I intend to defend myself against any alleged charges you may have been reading about in the media,” Simmons said in a statement given to US Weekly. “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.”
PREVIOUSLY: Gene Simmons is being sued by a woman who says the KISS bassist groped her and made “unwanted, unwarranted sexual advances” during an interview she conducted last month, according to legal documents obtained by TheWrap.
The radio and television broadcaster (identified as “Jane Doe”) is suing for sexual battery, gender violence, battery and assault.
According to the lawsuit, which was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Friday, the woman was speaking with Simmons and his bandmate Paul Stanley at their Rock & Brews restaurant at San Manuel Casino in Highland, California on Nov. 1 when the incident occurred.
The plaintiff, identified in the documents as a “long-time on-air personality for a local rock station,” says Simmons grabbed her hand multiple times and “forcefully placed it on his knee and held it on his knee.” The accuser also says he “forcibly flicked/struck” her throat.
“Defendant Simmons turned standard interview questions into sexual innuendos, which made plaintiff Doe extremely uncomfortable,” the suit states.
Simmons provided an “incoherent explanation” for his behavior, according to the lawsuit.
The accuser also says Simmons “reached toward [her] buttocks and touched it” while they were posing for a promotional photo together after the interview.
“My client is embarrassed and humiliated by the incident with Mr. Simmons,” the anonymous woman’s attorney, Willie W. Williams, told The San Bernardino Sun during a phone interview. “She filed suit because she wanted to make a strong statement that this behavior is unacceptable and she wants to see an end to this type of behavior.”
Simmons’ reps didn’t immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.
Pamela Chelin contributed to this story.