A new sexual assault lawsuit has been filed Nigel Lythgoethis time by an unknown woman claiming the first American Idol and So you think you can dance producer sexually assaulted her in 2016.
The lawsuit, filed Saturday in Los Angeles Superior Court, is the latest against Lythgoe accusing him of sexual assault and battery. After Paula Abdul sued the producer in December over two separate incidents of sexual assault, a pair of unnamed contestants on “AAG,” believed to be a reference to reality TV shows All American Girl cited in a complaint by the women, alleging that he made unwanted sexual projections and assaulted them inside his Los Angeles home in 2003. This second lawsuit was filed in January against a defendant with the initials “NL” identified by multiple outlets as a producer.
Lythgoe retired from his on-camera and behind-the-scenes roles SYTYCD in the wake of the complaints. The producer did not immediately respond to requests for comment for this story.
The lawsuit says the accuser met Lythgoe at a Beverly Hills hotel and “insisted” on driving her home. The complaint describes the alleged assault, which took place inside his car over a period of at least ten minutes.
“Plaintiff attempted to push Lythgoe away from her and instruct Lythgoe's driver how to return to her home, but Lythgoe continued to grab Plaintiff, fondle her breasts and kiss her,” the suit states. “Lythgoe even pushed his hand up Plaintiff's skirt and penetrated her genitals.”
The woman claims the producer finally relented once his driver arrived at her apartment after allegedly making an unexpectedly long drive. He claims he continues to suffer severe mental anguish as a result of the incident.
The complaint alleges sexual assault, gender-based violence and intentional infliction of emotional distress. He is seeking an unspecified amount of damages.
“It is disturbing to hear of yet another alleged incident of exploitation and abuse of a woman by a prominent public figure,” he said. Melissa Eubanksan attorney for plaintiff Jane Doe who also represents Abdul in her lawsuit against Lythgoe, in a statement.
In her complaint, Abdul accused Lythgoe of assaulting her twice during one of his first seasons American Idol and years later when he was a judge at SYTYCD.
“Lythgoe pushed Abdul against the wall, then grabbed her genitals and breasts and began sticking his tongue down her throat,” the suit said.
This article was originally published by The Hollywood Reporter.
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