The 'Savages' actor has through his representative responded to a lawsuit accusing him of making sexual advances at an unidentified masseur during a massage session in January.
- May 8, 2012
AceShowbiz - John Travolta is firing back at allegations that he assaulted and sexually harassed a masseur. Calling the $2 million lawsuit filed by the masseur "a complete fiction and fabrication," the "Old Dogs" star has through his representative claimed that he intends to countersue the masseur and his attorney.
Insisting that "none of the events claimed in the suit ever occurred," a representative for the husband of Kelly Preston said in a statement to the press, "Plaintiff's attorney has filed this suit to try and get his 15 minutes of fame." It was further noted, "John intends to get this case thrown out and then he will sue the attorney and Plaintiff for malicious prosecution."
"The plaintiff, who refuses to give their name, knows that the suit is a baseless lie," the rep also stated. "It is for that reason that the plaintiff hasn't been identified with a name even though it is required to do so. On the date when plaintiff claims John met him, John was not in California and it can be proved that he was on the East Coast."
In response, the masseur's attorney, Okorie Okorocha, said that the lawsuit against Travolta was filed without identifying the Plaintiff "to ensure privacy and some sort of anonymity." Though so, the lawyer acknowledged, "In this case my client knows that his identity will be revealed eventually and he recognizes that."
Okorocha also told Radar Online, "My client is afraid of John Travolta. Mr. Travolta made very explicit threats against my client, which are contained in the lawsuit. Specifically, John Travolta told my client that Hollywood is controlled by homosexual Jewish men who expect favors in return for sexual activity."
"Let's face it, John Travolta is an extremely powerful man, and my client absolutely felt threatened by Mr. Travolta," Okorocha further pointed out. "My client was sexually assaulted by Mr. Travolta and he needs to be held accountable for his actions." Saying that his client is ready to go to trial, the lawyer added, "My client just wants the truth to come out, period."
The masseur filed a lengthy 14-page suit, charging Travolta with assault, sexual battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress, in California's U.S. District Court on Friday, May 4. In the complaint, he claimed that Travolta made sexual advances at him during a massage session inside a private bungalow at Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles on January 16.
It was alleged in the court documents that Travolta "shamelessly stripped down naked" in front of the masseur once they got inside the bungalow, and was "semi-erect". During the massage, the "From Paris with Love" actor allegedly "touched" the masseur's scrotum. When told to stop, he promised not to do it again, but "quickly tried to rub the head of Plaintiff's penis as he tried to pull away."
In the documents, the masseur also accused Travolta of masturbating in front of him and suggesting that they have a three-way with a "Hollywood starlet." It was noted that because of the incident, the masseur "suffered severe emotional distress ... including but not limited to suffering, anguish, fright, horror, nervousness, grief, anxiety, worry, shock, humiliation and shame."
