Photo credit: www.tvinsider.com
Lawsuit Filed Against Bravo’s Gary King Over Allegations of Misconduct
Below Deck Sailing Yacht star Gary King, alongside Bravo and NBC, is currently facing a serious lawsuit initiated by former crew members regarding allegations that include sexual battery, assault, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, and emotional distress. The legal complaint was brought by Samantha Suarez, a former hair and makeup artist for the show, and her boyfriend Grey Duddleston, who served as a camera operator.
This lawsuit names not only King but also includes Bravo, NBC, and 51 Minds, the production company responsible for Below Deck. The allegations outlined in the filing reveal a disturbing account of misconduct that purportedly occurred during the filming of the show’s fourth season.
According to court documents obtained by People, Suarez alleges that on July 3, 2022, King held her against her will in his hotel room while under the influence of alcohol. She claims that during the filming, production instructed her to deliver bottled water and snacks to King’s room, only for him to refuse the items and insist that she enter the room instead.
Suarez reports that after entering, when she attempted to place the items on a counter, King allegedly grabbed and restrained her, pressing his body against hers. In her account, she attempted to free herself, but when she managed to open the door, King forcibly slammed it shut using his full weight.
The legal complaint expresses Suarez’s fear during the encounter, stating she felt certain she was close to being raped. She relayed that she was able to receive a phone call, which prompted King to release his grip on the door. Following this, he allegedly followed her into the hallway, dressing only in his underwear, and made advances by rubbing her back and asking her what was wrong.
In an interview with Rolling Stone in August 2023, Suarez recounted her distress after leaving King’s room, emphasizing how unsettling the entire experience was. She detailed her confrontation with King in the hallway, where she insisted he return to his room.
Following the incident, Suarez claims she reported her experience to co-executive producer Ryan Veercamp and shared her concerns with Duddleston. The next day, she reported being informed by the show’s leadership that King had confessed to certain behaviors and expressed regret. Showrunner Courtland Cox allegedly indicated that King would face consequences for any future misconduct.
Despite these assurances, the lawsuit claims that Duddleston witnessed additional troubling behavior from King mere weeks later. He asserts that King groped two female crew members, forcibly removed a cast member’s swimsuit top, made inappropriate comments to staff members, and engaged in other sexually aggressive actions while intoxicated.
Duddleston was said to have informed production about King’s alleged misconduct, including discussions with Brenda Lacy Davis, the head of human resources at 51 Minds’ parent company, Banijay America. However, Duddleston felt that Davis dismissed these serious allegations as unfounded.
In light of the reported incidents, both Suarez and Duddleston learned that they would not be welcomed back for future seasons and claim they were placed on a “do not hire” list by the production company.
The plaintiffs are seeking monetary compensation for their injuries and emotional distress, alongside demands for civil penalties, punitive damages, and coverage of legal fees and related costs.
Source
www.tvinsider.com