Update: The alleged victim and the KISS frontman reached a settlement, according to court documents obtained by Us Weekly.
Gene Simmons announced he plans to defend himself amid allegations that he allegedly groped and made unwanted advances toward a radio personality in November.
The KISS bassist, 68, issued a statement to Us Weekly on Saturday, December 16, saying, “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.”
According to a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court obtained by The Orange County Register on Friday, December 15, a woman identified as “Jane Doe” claims she interviewed Simmons and KISS bandmate Paul Stanley during the opening of their restaurant “Rock & Brews” at San Manuel Casino. She alleges that Simmons grabbed her hand and “forcefully placed it on his knee and held it on his knee” before she removed it. The lawsuit states, “Defendant Simmons turned standard interview questions into sexual innuendos, which made plaintiff Doe extremely uncomfortable.” The woman also alleges that not only did Simmons flick her in the throat, but also touched her behind when they posed for a group photo.
The lawsuit also notes that Simmons has had a “troubling” tour while promoting his new book On Power, mentioning he “earned a lifetime ban from FOX News studios for allegedly exposing his torso to staff members and shouting: ‘Hey chicks, sue me!’”
The lawsuit alleges causes of action for sexual battery, gender violence, battery, assault, negligent retention of supervision, gender discrimination and negligent infliction of emotional distress. Besides Simmons, Rock & Brews Holdings, LLC., Rock & Brews Holdings, Inc., Rock & Brews, LLC., and Rock & Brews Franchising, LLC. are also named as defendants.
The woman’s attorney spoke with the San Bernardino Sun on Friday and stated, “My client is embarrassed and humiliated by the incident with Mr. Simmons. 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.”
The lawsuit identifies the victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, as a “long-time on-air personality for a local rock station.”
