Gene Simmons of KISS is being sued for sexual assault by a woman who worked in the kitchen at one of his restaurants.
According to documents obtained by The Blast, the woman – identified as Jane Doe – said the assault took place while she was working as a dishwasher at one of KISS’s Rock & Brews restaurants on opening night in December 2016. He reportedly walked into the kitchen and asked to take a picture with her, and she agreed, although she did not know who he was at the time.
She said in court documents that during the photo opportunity, Simmons “reached over and forcefully placed his hand on her vagina, completely covering it.” Additionally, she said that during his visits to the restaurant, he would act “in a sexually charged manner,” asking women to unbutton their shirts and touch their hair.
Doe is suing Simmons for sexual battery, seeking unspecified charges.
Simmons has been accused of sexual misconduct charges before; in 2017, he was sued for sexual battery by a radio personality who claimed he touched her inappropriately, in which the case was settled early this year. He was also reportedly banned from Fox News’ New York City headquarters for life after “insulting and taunting female staffers.”
The bassist/vocalist is set to head out on tour with KISS early next year.
