British actor-comedian Russell Brand was accused in a complaint filed Friday of sexually assaulting an extra on the New York set of the romantic comedy “Arthur,” in which he plays the role of an heir to fortune alcoholic and womanizer.
The complaint follows a recent wave of allegations reported in the British media against the 48-year-old artist by several women accusing him of sexual assault and inappropriate behavior, some dating back 20 years.
British police have said they are investigating a number of the allegations, but the lawsuit filed in New York on Friday is the first such charge brought before a court.
She was brought in state court under New York’s Adult Survivors Act, which gives accusers a year to file a lawsuit over allegations of sexual abuse dating back a long time, even if the statute of limitations has expired.
Warner Bros. Pictures, which distributed “Arthur,” was also named as a defendant, along with other companies involved in the film’s production. They were accused of negligence and aiding and abetting Brand by tolerating his misconduct on set.
In September, Brand denied on his social media that he had non-consensual sex. Its representatives in New York and London did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the new lawsuit. Warner Bros. also did not respond.
The complaint was filed by a woman identified only as Jane Doe who said she was hired to appear as an “extra” in a scene from “Arthur” filmed at Le Cirque restaurant in Manhattan in July 2010.
The film, a box office failure that received generally negative reviews, was a remake of a blockbuster 1981 film starring Dudley Moore in the title role, a drunken New York millionaire on the verge of making an arranged marriage to a wealthy heiress when he falls in love with a free-spirited working-class woman.
According to the complaint, Brand was visibly intoxicated during production and exposed his genitals to the plaintiff while sitting at a table and staring at her, “openly and obviously in the presence of everyone on set,” including movie studio employees who considered his behavior acceptable.
Then, according to the complaint, Brand followed the woman into the restroom, where he pulled down her pants again, pushed her into a stall and forced her to perform oral sex on him, while a member of the production team stood outside, as if guarding the door.
The accuser claims the assault caused “severe psychological injuries” and economic losses.
The prosecution is seeking unspecified damages from Brand for assault, battery, false imprisonment and emotional distress.
Mr Brand, the former husband of American pop singer Katy Perry and once one of Britain’s most high-profile comedians and broadcasters, had repositioned himself in recent years as an internet social commentator, racking up more than 6 million views. followers on his YouTube channel.
In September, YouTube said it had barred Brand from receiving further income from the online video platform because of his alleged sexual misconduct.
2023-11-03 23:18:27
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