“American Idol” producer and “So You Think You Can Dance” co-creator Nigel Lythgoe is now reportedly facing another sexual assault lawsuit. This is the fourth woman to come forward within three months, court filings state.
The alleged victim filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday, alleging sexual assault dating back to 2018, according to reports. deadline. The lawsuit was reportedly filed just hours after Paula Abdul tried to refute the allegations against Lithgow. The latest victim, known only as Jane Doe, claims in a court filing that Risseau assaulted her in her home, the newspaper reported. She claimed that her man pushed her knee between her legs as he pinned her against a wall, preventing her from moving. The lawsuit alleges that Lithgow touched her genitals, groped her and kissed her neck against her will, the newspaper reported.
Nigel Lythgoe stands in the audience at the “American Idol” XIV grand finale at the Dolby Theater on May 13, 2015 in Hollywood, California. Photo credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
According to Deadline, the plaintiffs are represented by Johnson & Johnson, as well as Abdul and another woman, Jane Doe, who claims Lithgow assaulted her in 2016.
“Ms. Lythgow's sexual assault and assault have been so traumatic that the plaintiff no longer feels like the confident, capable, independent woman she was before the incident,” court documents say. The newspaper reported that.
Nigel Lythgoe attends the Hollywood Walk of Fame Star on July 9, 2021 in Hollywood, California.Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
According to Deadline, the alleged victim said in her filing that she attended Lithgow's home for work reasons, and that after several minutes of a professional conversation, Lithgow drove her against an exterior wall of his property. He says he suspects that he forced himself on him. She reportedly tried to push him away, but he wouldn't move, she claims in the documents. According to the newspaper, Doe claimed that Lithgow persistently touched and kissed her despite her attempts to run away. She reportedly was eventually able to get away from the altercation, and she said she immediately fled his residence.
Television personality Nigel Lythgoe (left) and actress Angela Vitale attend the BRIT Week 10th Anniversary VIP Reception & Gala held at the Fairmont Hotel on May 1, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.Photo by Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for BritWeek
She claimed in her filing that she drove away, but was too shaken up by the alleged ordeal to continue driving, according to Deadline. Ms. Doe reportedly said in her documents that she parked her car a block away from Ms. Lithgow's home and by the time she drove home, she remained in the car shaking and crying for about 30 minutes. she added.
According to Deadline, the court filing states, “Plaintiff has experienced severe mental and psychological distress, guilt, humiliation, and embarrassment, all of which have significantly impacted her professional and personal life. It is written as “There is.”
American Idol Finale: Results Show poses with judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul while sitting in front of the stage on May 25, 2005 at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, California. Nigel Lythgoe, executive producer of American Idol.Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
A senior Johnson & Johnson adviser said: “After more than 10 years of a professional and honest relationship, Mr. Lithgow coerced his client during what was supposed to be a business meeting, and the client did not acquiesce, so we ended the relationship.'' It is said that he did so.” According to Deadline, he said: (Related: Report: Brandi Glanville accuses Andy Cohen of sexual harassment)
“We hope stories like this become a thing of the past, and we will continue to be proud and support the women who finally stood up and said, 'Enough is enough.'”
