The boss of the Rocky Horror Show production company has admitted he ‘cannot remember’ any allegations involving Craig McLachlan, after three women claim they were sexually harassed by the star in 2014.
John Frost, managing director of the Gordon Frost Organisation, apologised to Christie Whelan Brown, Angela Scundi and Erika Heynatz in a statement released on Wednesday.
However, while Mr Frost said he remembers speaking to Ms Brown, he could not remember speaking about McLachlan as he spoke to ‘many people backstage’.
‘I cannot remember any discussion around Craig. I can only explain this by pointing out that I speak to many people backstage across many productions and have little time to spend with each person,’ Mr Frost said.
Three women have made allegations against Rocky Horror Picture show star Craig McLachlan, accusing the actor of sexual misconduct
John Frost, managing director of the Gordon Frost Organisation, said he ‘can’t remember’ discussing claims of inappropriate behaviour by McLachlan
Christie Whelan Browne said that during Rocky Horror in 2014, McLachlan, who played transvestite Frank N Furter to her character Janet, indecently assaulted her on stage
His comments come after two more women claimed the actor sexually harassed them.
A runner on a TV drama, who was 22 at the time, says McLachlan made lewd remarks about her breasts while she was driving him to the airport in 2008.
Meanwhile a tanning salon worker says he tongue-kissed her without her permission in 2004, Fairfax Media and the ABC reported.
‘He walked around the reception desk to where I was sitting, he grabbed my face in both hands and passionately kissed me, tongue included,’ she told the ABC.
‘It certainly shows that his behaviour towards the other women that have come out, that it’s not about the role he was playing, it’s not about that he was just taking his character [in Rocky Horror] a little bit too far.’
The reports come after Ms Browne, Ms Scundi and Ms Heynatz, who appeared in the 2014 production of the Rocky Horror Show, said McLachlan inappropriately touched them or exposed himself.
McLachlan has not spoken publicly since the original allegations were raised, but has described them as ‘baseless’ and ‘inventions’ in a statement.
McLachlan has withdrawn from the current production of The Rocky Horror Show amid allegations he sexually harassed and bullied his former co-stars
At least two more people have complained to police about Craig McLachlan’s behaviour in the wake of allegations he sexually abused and intimidated his former colleagues, which he vehemently denies
Whelan Browne (pictured) said McLachlan indecently assaulted her on stage during a sexual scene
The cast of The Rocky Horror Show, led by Craig McLachlan, are pictured in Perth in 2014
Erika Heynatz (pictured left) and Christie Whelan Browne (right) are among the women to make allegations against McLachlan, who says the accusations are ‘baseless’
Actor Adam Rennie will replace Mclachlan as the lead role in the Rocky Horror Show’s Brisbane and Perth seasons.
Mr Frost said he’s glad the three women came forward so their claims can be properly investigated.
Ms Browne said she spoke to Mr Frost at the time of the alleged incidents, indicating she was scared of McLachlan.
‘Christie has told the media I responded with words to the effect that what she was feeling was not good and that I gave her my phone number and asked her to call me,’ Mr Frost said.
‘She has confirmed that she did not take up that offer.’
Mr Frost said his company had never had an incident of this nature before and complaints of any type of bullying or harassment were very rare.
‘These allegations are ALL made up,’ McLachlan said. One of his accusers Erika Heynatz is pictured
Erika Heynatz is among the women to allege McLachlan of inappropriate behaviour
Actor Adam Rennie (pictured) will replace Mclachlan as the lead role in the Rocky Horror Show’s Brisbane and Perth seasons
He said the fact the three women did not feel they could report their concerns in 2014 was ‘concerning and distressing’.
‘And, I sincerely apologise to them for this,’ he said.
‘Our company is responsible for sometimes hundreds of people across many productions at any given time, and we do have very strict policies and procedures in place when it comes to reporting of allegations of this nature.
‘We had those same policies in place in 2014.
‘Over the past few days, we have spent time reinforcing those policies and assuring all employees across all productions that any reported incident will be treated seriously and promptly with sensitivity to all parties concerned.’
Ms Browne also took to Twitter on Wednesday to respond to online criticism.
‘The people who have tweeted me to say they hope I get raped, hope I never work again and that they wish to spit in my face are incredibly hard to ignore,’ she said.
‘But the amount of love is drowning them out. So I thank you. Rising above is hard, but I’m trying.’
Angela Scundi (pictured) and Erika Heynatz, who also allege Craig McLachlan sexually assaulted them in 2014, said they were ‘shocked’ by the production company’s claim