Current:Home > StocksAxl Rose of Guns N' Roses accused of 1989 sexual assault in lawsuit by former model-InfoLens
Axl Rose of Guns N' Roses accused of 1989 sexual assault in lawsuit by former model
View Date:2024-12-23 16:01:55
Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose is being sued for sexual assault stemming from an incident in 1989.
Former Penthouse model Sheila Kennedy filed a civil lawsuit against the rocker Wednesday with the New York County Supreme Court, alleging that Rose "used his fame, status, and power as a celebrity and performer in the music industry to gain access to manipulate, control, and violently sexually assault Kennedy" at his hotel room in New York City after meeting at a nightclub party.
Rose's attorney Alan Gutman of Gutman Law denied the allegations in a statement to USA TODAY Wednesday.
"Simply put, this incident never happened. Notably, these fictional claims were filed the day before the New York State filing deadline expires," Guttman said in the statement. "Though he doesn’t deny the possibility of a fan photo taken in passing, Mr. Rose has no recollection of ever meeting or speaking to the Plaintiff, and has never heard about these fictional allegations prior to today."
Kennedy's attorney Ann Olivarius of the firm McAllister Olivarius told USA TODAY in a statement Wednesday that she expects her client's lawsuit to be "an important turning point for the music industry."
"Her account is unfortunately all too typical of a culture of violence and sexual misconduct that has been allowed to exist in plain sight for decades," Olivarius said. "It's not just individual musicians stepping out of line, but an industrial system of enabling them and then covering up their misconduct and crimes, silencing survivors and normalizing sexual assault. We hope Sheila's bravery helps other victims find their voice."
Axl Rose allegations explained
In the lawsuit, Kennedy details witnessing Rose (real name: W. Axl Rose, born as William Bruce Rose Jr.) allegedly mix prescription drugs, cocaine and alcohol while hosting people in his hotel suite. As the night progressed, the model alleged that the Gun N' Roses frontman began to have sex with another model "in a way that appeared painful."
Kennedy claims she left Rose's bedroom to go to another room in the hotel suite, which led the singer to become "furious" and knock her to the floor.
The former Penthouse model claims Rose "dragged Kennedy to his bedroom like a caveman and acted with uncontrolled fury," restrained her and began "forcibly penetrating" her.
"Rose made no attempt to ask for or check that Kennedy was consenting. He treated her like property used solely for his sexual pleasure. He did not use a condom," the complaint states.
As a result of the alleged attack, Kennedy states that she has experienced "lifelong emotional, physical, psychological, and financial impacts" to her life and "experienced symptoms akin to post-traumatic stress disorder whenever she hears Rose's name or the music of Guns N' Roses."
She also says her career "suffered because of the assault" and she could no longer be in social settings that could possibly trigger her from the trauma.
The former model is requesting a jury trial to determine any compensatory damages if he is found liable for the sexual assault.
Sean 'Diddy' Combs, Cassie settlebombshell lawsuit alleging rape, abuse, sex trafficking
What is the Adult Survivors Act?
Kennedy's lawsuit was filed under New York's expiring Adult Survivors Act, which has given victims of sexual abuse a one-year window for claims that would otherwise be barred by time limits. That window closes on Nov. 23, which is the Thanksgiving holiday.
Guns N' Roses management accused of sexual harassment
According to Rolling Stone and The Messenger, a Guns N' Roses' manager was also accused of sexual harassment in a recent lawsuit filed by photographer Katarina Benzova. Benzova also accused the band of copyright infringement, according to the outlets.
The outlets report Benzova's lawsuit comes several weeks after the band sued her for improperly registering photos of the band with the Copyright Office and making false copyright infringement allegations. USA TODAY has reached out to Benzova as well as the band for comment.
A Guns N' Roses statement to Rolling Stone said, "The band takes these types of claims very seriously, however, all evidence establishes these accusations are categorically and unequivocally false."
If you are a survivor of sexual assault, RAINN offers support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE & online.rainn.org).
Contributing: Charles Trepany, USA TODAY; The Associated Press
Axl Rose of Guns N' Roseswill stop throwing mic into crowd after fan was allegedly injured
veryGood! (366)
Related
- He failed as a service dog. But that didn't stop him from joining the police force
- 2024 Paris Olympics highlight climate change's growing threat to athletes
- Horoscopes Today, July 27, 2024
- 2024 Olympics: Simone Biles Fights Through Calf Pain During Gymnastics Qualifiers
- Anti-abortion advocates press Trump for more restrictions as abortion pill sales spike
- 3 dead, 2 critically injured after 25-foot pontoon boat capsizes on Lake Powell in northern Arizona
- Justin Timberlake's lawyer says singer wasn't drunk, 'should not have been arrested'
- Waffle fry farewell? Chick-fil-A responds to rumors that it's replacing its famous fries
- Kyle Richards Swears This Holiday Candle Is the Best Scent Ever and She Uses It All Year
- Kamala Harris’s Environmental and Climate Record, in Her Own Words
Ranking
- Driver dies after crashing on hurricane-damaged highway in North Carolina
- Rafael Nadal beats Márton Fucsovics, to face Novak Djokovic next at Olympics
- Paris Olympics opening ceremony: Everything you didn't see on NBC's broadcast
- Waffle fry farewell? Chick-fil-A responds to rumors that it's replacing its famous fries
- A herniated disc is painful, debilitating. How to get relief.
- Did Katie Ledecky win? How she finished in 400 free, highlights from Paris Olympics
- This Weekend Only! Shop Anthropologie’s Extra 40% off Sale & Score Cute Dresses & Tops Starting at $17
- Life and death in the heat. What it feels like when Earth’s temperatures soar to record highs
Recommendation
-
Krispy Kreme is giving free dozens to early customers on World Kindness Day
-
1 killed in Maryland mall shooting in food court area
-
Team USA cyclist Chloe Dygert wins bronze medal in individual time trial
-
Why are more adults not having children? New study may have an explanation.
-
Judith Jamison, a dancer both eloquent and elegant, led Ailey troupe to success over two decades
-
Top Shoe Deals from Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2024: Up to 50% Off OluKai, Paige, Stuart Weitzman & More
-
Samoa Boxing Coach Lionel Fatu Elika Dies at Paris Olympics Village
-
Nevada attorney general appeals to state high court in effort to revive fake electors case