Current:Home > ScamsRussell Brand sued for alleged sexual assault in a bathroom on 'Arthur' set, reports say -AssetLink
Russell Brand sued for alleged sexual assault in a bathroom on 'Arthur' set, reports say
View
Date:2025-04-14 14:10:42
Russell Brand is facing a lawsuit from a woman identified as Jane Doe, who claims she was sexually assaulted by the British comedian on the set of the 2011 "Arthur" remake.
The woman accused Brand of being "intoxicated" on July 7, 2010, before exposing himself "in full view of the cast and crew," according to an affidavit filed Friday in the Supreme Court of New York, Suffolk County, which was obtained by People and the BBC.
Doe claims Brand sexually assaulted her in a bathroom later that same day "as a member of the production crew guarded the door from outside," according to the court documents.
The woman also alleges she was hired to work three days, but following the assault, she was not asked to return for a second and third day, nor paid for that time.
USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Brand and an attorney for Doe.
Warner Bros Pictures, Warner Bros. Discover, MBST Entertainment, BenderSpink and Langley Park Productions are also defendants.
Doe asked the courts to maintain her anonymity out of fear of retaliation. "I am terrified of being blacklisted in the industry or suffering other negative effects beyond what I already suffered if my name is associated with a sexual assault lawsuit against others in the industry," she stated in the filing. "I cannot bear to imagine my career that I love being jeopardized."
In an interview with The Sunday Times released Saturday, the woman said, "I felt used and abused. Disgusting is the only word. I felt like I was being used, that I was just an object for his momentary titillation."
Russell Brand is facing sexual assault claims by 4 other women, being investigated by police
Brand, 48, has already been accused of − and denied − allegations of rape, sexual assault and abuse by four other women who knew him over a seven-year period at the height of his fame.
In a joint investigation published Sept. 16, The Sunday Times, The Times of London and Channel 4's Dispatches revealed the accusations, which included one woman alleging Brand raped her, while three others accused him of sexual assault.
Brand denied the allegations, maintaining all of his relationships have been consensual.
The woman in Friday's lawsuit told The Sunday Times she decided to pursue legal action after getting "strength" from reading about "other women's allegations" detailed to the outlet.
"Alone, I don’t think I would have felt able to. Hopefully, when other women see another woman putting what happened to her out there, they will find the strength deep inside themselves to speak out," she said.
The alleged victim also touched on the workplace culture on the set. "Everyone usually turns a blind eye to bad behavior on a set,” she said. “If I had come forward and said something to, say, even a production assistant on the set, what are they going to do?"
"Are they going to fire him? No," she said. "They’re not going to want to get rid of him."
Russell Brand assault allegations mount:Agent, publisher drop comedian, comments resurface
Doe's case is the first one to make it to the courtroom in the wake of the British media investigation. Separately, two British police forces are investigating sexual offenses allegedly committed by Brand.
Thames Valley Police is taking a fresh look at harassment and stalking allegations previously made by a woman against Brand between 2018 and 2022, the BBC and PA news agency said in October.
London’s Metropolitan Police said in September it was examining “a number of allegations of sexual offenses” relating to Brand following the media investigation.
Contributing: The Associated Press
Russell Brand investigation:What his accusers say happened
veryGood! (47)
Related
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- Exclusive: Seen any paranormal activity on your Ring device? You could win $100,000
- Ex-NYC COVID adviser is fired after video reveals he attended parties during pandemic
- A Texas county has told an appeals court it has a right to cull books on sex, gender and racism
- A New York Appellate Court Rejects a Broad Application of the State’s Green Amendment
- To read a Sally Rooney novel is to hold humanity in your hands: 'Intermezzo' review
- A city proud of its role in facing down hatred confronts a new wave of violence
- To read a Sally Rooney novel is to hold humanity in your hands: 'Intermezzo' review
- Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear ready to campaign for Harris-Walz after losing out for spot on the ticket
- Jimmy Kimmel shows concern (jokingly?) as Mike Tyson details training regimen
Ranking
- Eva Mendes Shares Message of Gratitude to Olympics for Keeping Her and Ryan Gosling's Kids Private
- Tren de Aragua gang started in Venezuela’s prisons and now spreads fear in the US
- Your Fall Skincare Nighttime Routine: Everything You Need To Get ‘Unready’ Before Bed
- Carly Rae Jepsen is a fiancée! Singer announces engagement to Grammy-winning producer
- FBI: California woman brought sword, whip and other weapons into Capitol during Jan. 6 riot
- Key takeaways from AP’s interview with Francis Ford Coppola about ‘Megalopolis’
- Jury awards teen pop group OMG Girlz $71.5 million in battle with toy maker over “L.O.L.” dolls
- Pac-12 Conference files lawsuit against Mountain West over potential 'poaching fee'
Recommendation
The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
What are the pros and cons of temporary jobs? Ask HR
Derek Hough Shares Family Plans With Miracle Wife Hayley Erbert
Sean 'Diddy' Combs and his former bodyguard accused of drugging and raping woman in 2001
Olympic women's basketball bracket: Schedule, results, Team USA's path to gold
Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘Megalopolis’ is one from the heart
The Daily Money: The high cost of campus housing
Reinventing Anna Delvey: Does she deserve a chance on 'Dancing with the Stars'?