As reported by the Gulf News, as well as dozens of other newspapers and tabloids, well-known movie star John Travolta has been named in a personal injury lawsuit for making "predatory" sexual advances toward a male massage therapist.
Travolta quickly responded with a statement calling the lawsuit "complete fiction" and hopes to have a judge throw the case out as soon as possible.
The masseur, whose name has not been released, has also claimed that Travolta made remarks to him that were anti-Semitic. One such comment recalled by the plaintiff was, "Hollywood is controlled by homosexual Jewish men who expect favors in return for sexual activity."
The incidents allegedly occurred in a private bungalow of the Beverly Hills Hotel, with another man present for part of the time, on January 16.
John Doe, as the plaintiff is referred to in the lawsuit, is seeking $2 million for his "emotional distress."
Travolta has also stated that he was not been in Beverly Hills at the time of the accusation and that he plans to sue the masseur for "malicious prosecution."
A representative of a celebrity client in need of a massage contacted the masseur. From there Travolta collected the masseur from a street corner. Travolta, according to Doe, was driving a black Lexus and wearing a "very loose-fitting" shirt and dark eyeglasses.
Once ensconced at the hotel, Travolta allegedly removed all of his clothing and, though he was covered with a towel, continually lowered it inappropriately so that he could expose himself. The other man present made his leave approximately at that time.
Travolta, according to the suit, made several attempts to touch the masseur while he "snickered to himself like a mischievous child." However, Doe let Travolta know that he wasn't interested in having sex with him in any way.
Travolta allegedly responded by "screaming at the plaintiff, telling him how ungrateful he was."
Though Travolta has had years of film success – starring roles in Grease and Saturday Night Fever, followed by a comeback role in Pulp Fiction – he allegedly claimed that his early television success was due to the "sexual favors" he bestowed on others.
It is alleged in the suit that prior to the anti-Semitic remarks Travolta made, he suggested that they have a threesome with a woman. The encounter ended, according to the suit, when the masseur threatened to call in the police.
The suit names Travolta for sexual battery, assault and the intentional infliction of emotional distress.
A spokesman for Travolta said that Doe's only motivation in filing the lawsuit is to obtain "his 15 minutes of fame." The spokesman added, "None of the events claimed in the suit ever occurred. The plaintiff, who refuses to give their name, knows that the suit is a baseless lie. It is for that reason that the plaintiff hasn't been identified with a name even though it is required."
Being injured by a celebrity, or by an obscure person, is grounds for a lawsuit. Work to regain your losses when you contact a personal injury lawyer for help.