Gene Simmons has been sued for sexual battery and related charges, Pitchfork reports and Spin confirms. The accuser, identified as Jane Doe, claims the KISS bassist groped her in 2016 in the kitchen where she worked as a dishwasher at the Highland, Calif. location of Simmons’ Rock & Brews restaurant chain. She claims Simmons “reached over and forcefully placed his hand on her vagina, completely covering it” after she agreed to take a photo with him. She also claims she witnessed Simmons “touch the hair of other women and tell them to unbutton their shirts” during his visit to the restaurant.
Doe is seeking a jury trial and monetary compensation. She also names Rock & Brews as a defendant, claiming the company is negligent because it “had advanced knowledge” that Simmons “would engage in unlawful conduct based on previous complaints and lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct.” Simmons co-founded the company in 2012.
Simmons was sued last December for sexual battery by a woman who claimed he made “unwanted, unwarranted sexual advances” during a radio interview, including touching her buttocks after posing for a photo. The alleged incident also took place at the Highland, Calif. Rock & Brews location. Simmons settled the lawsuit for an undisclosed amount in July. Simmons was previously sued for sexual assault in 2010 by a makeup artist who claimed he humped her while she was working at an ESPN broadcasting studio.
A representative for Simmons declined to comment to Spin. You can read the full complaint below.
This post has been updated with information from the criminal complaint.
