KISS’ Gene Simmons Settles Sexual Harassment Suit

Gene Simmons
Lou Bilotti / Onesti Entertainment – Gene Simmons
The Gene Simmons Band plays a gig at Arcada Theatre in Saint Charles, Ill., May 3.
Gene Simmons settled a lawsuit July 2 in which a radio broadcaster accused the 68-year-old KISS vocalist/bassist of unwanted sexual advances and touching, and battery during an on-camera interview and during promotional photos.
The alleged incident happened during an interview at the San Manuel Casino in Highland, Calif., to promote a new Rock & Brews restaurant. The restaurant chain, which was co-founded by a group including Simmons and his KISS bandmate Paul Stanley, is also named in the suit.
Details of the settlement were not disclosed in the documents filed in Los Angeles County Superior court, according to The Mercury News. 
Within days of the lawsuit being filed Dec. 15 Simmons posted a tweet denying the claims of the broadcaster who is listed in the suit under the anonymous pseudonym Jane Doe.   
“Friends, I intend to defend myself against any alleged charges you may have been reading about in the media,” Simmons wrote. “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.”
Doe claims in the lawsuit that Simmons grabbed her hand and “forcefully placed it on his knee and held it on his knee,” made sexual innuendos during the interview, and “forcibly flicked/struck” her throat, according to the Mercury News. The plaintiff also accuses the musician of reaching toward her buttocks and touching it during a promotional photo. 
 
A letter from the law offices of Willie W. Williams, posted by the Mercury News, points out that Simmons was recently banned from FOX News studios for “allegedly exposing his torso to staff members and shouting: ‘Hey chicks, sue me!’” 
A hearing is scheduled Aug. 10 to dismiss the case, according to the paper. 
KISS takes the stage next at Estadio Municipal De Oeiras in Oeiras, Portugal, July 10 with Megadeth. 
Tags