Don Lemon is being sued by a Florida man who claims that CNN anchor sexually harassed and assaulted him while out at a Hamptons hotspot.
Dustin Hice claims that he was out with co-workers at Murf’s Backstreet Tavern in Sag Harbor on or around July 15, 2018 when Lemon allegedly assaulted him, detailing the incident in a complaint that was filed over the weekend in New York Supreme Court for Suffolk County court and obtained by DailyMail.com.
Upon recognizing Lemon, Hice made what he describes as a ‘cordial gesture’ and ‘tried to get Mr. Lemon’s attention and offered to buy Mr. Lemon a drink.’
Lemon responded to Hice’s offer by declining the drink and telling the young man he was ‘just trying to have a good time,’ according to the court filing.
‘The plaintiff in this lawsuit has previously displayed a pattern of contempt for CNN on his social media accounts,’ said a network rep.
‘This claim follows his unsuccessful threats and demands for an exorbitant amount of money from Don Lemon. Don categorically denies these claims and this matter does not merit any further comment at this time.’
Hice shut down his Twitter account just before filing his lawsuit.
Legalese: Don Lemon (above with his husband at their Hamptons home days before the alleged incident) is being sued by Dustin Hice, a Floridian who claims he was assaulted by the CNN anchor at a Hamptons bar
Surf and murf: Dustin Hice claims that he was out with co-workers at Murf’s Backstreet Tavern (above) in Sag Harbor on or around July 15, 2018 when Lemon approached him
Things then took a bizarre and violent turn later that evening according to Hice, who is asking for damages to be determined at trial.
‘Sometime later that evening, unexpectedly, Mr. Lemon walked towards Plaintiff and his colleagues inside of Murf’s,’ states the complaint.
‘At such time, Mr. Lemon, who was wearing a pair of shorts, sandals, and a t-shirt, put his hand down the front of his own shorts, and vigorously rubbed his genitalia, removed his hand and shoved his index and middle fingers into Plaintiff’s moustache under Plaintiff’s nose.’
It then goes on to allege: ‘Mr. Lemon intensely pushed his fingers against Plaintiff’s face under Plaintiff’s nose, forcing Plaintiff’s head to thrust backward as Defendant repeatedly asked Plaintiff “Do you like p***y or d**k?”. While saying this, Mr. Lemon continued to shove his fingers into Plaintiff’s face with aggression and hostility.’
That is when Hice ‘fled the bar’ and took five to ten minutes collecting himself before he was able to return inside, having recovered from the incident which he claims left him ‘shocked and humiliated.’
Lemon was gone by that point, while Hice was left ’emotionally devasted by Mr. Lemon’s demeaning unprovoked and offensive assault.’
Noisy: Lemon (above with his husband on right and friends the day of the incident) allegedly ‘removed his hand and shoved his index and middle fingers into Plaintiff’s moustache under Plaintiff’s nose’
The registered Republican, who just two months prior admitted to injuring his then-girlfriend when he hurled his keys at her in a domestic dispute, claims that he ‘found it increasingly more difficult to continue working at The Old Stove or socializing at all in the Hamptons.’
He also alleged that many at Murf’s would reference the incident when they saw him at the bar.
‘After the incident, customers who came into The Old Stove or saw Plaintiff out about town cheekily ordered lemon drops and laughed at Plaintiff’s expense,’ wrote Hice’s lawyer.
‘Plaintiff has suffered tremendously as a result of Mr. Lemon’s actions. Following this incident, Plaintiff found himself withdrawn from friends and family, suffered feelings of shame, humiliation, anxiety, anger, and guilt,’ states the complaint.
‘Plaintiff found himself unable to sleep and at times, and suffered from suicidal ideations. 29. Although Plaintiff, a religious man, tried to find solace within his faith and the church, to this day he continues to suffer emotionally, mentally, and personally from the incident.’
He also said that he cannot return to New York to work, something the 38-year-old man had hoped to continue doing for years.
Hice lists ‘assault and battery and both ‘intentional’ and negligent emotional distress’ as his thee causes of action in the case,