Entertainment
Former child star Raquel Lee sues Disney alleging sexual assault by employee in 2001
A lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court claims Disney failed to protect the actor when she was 14 years old on a movie set.
The short version
- Former child actor Raquel Lee filed a lawsuit against Disney in Los Angeles County Superior Court alleging she was groomed, sexually harassed, and raped at age 14 by an adult Disney employee in 2001.
- The alleged abuse occurred during the filming of the Disney Channel movie "The Poof Point" in Utah and on a flight returning to California.
- The lawsuit accuses Disney of negligence, stating that executives ignored signs of abuse, blamed Lee and her mother, and canceled a subsequent role.
- Disney declined to comment on the lawsuit, which does not specify the amount of damages sought.
Key facts
- Raquel Lee filed a lawsuit against Disney in Los Angeles County Superior Court alleging sexual assault and harassment by an unnamed male employee in 2001.[Variety · NBC News]
- The complaint alleges the abuse occurred when Lee was 14 years old during production of the Disney Channel movie "The Poof Point" in Utah and on a flight back to California.[Variety · NBC News]
- The suit claims the adult employee supplied Lee with alcohol and that set adults and director Neal Israel encouraged her to trust the individual.[Variety · NBC News]
- Lee alleges Disney executives responded to her changes in demeanor by accusing her of being out of control, blaming her mother, and canceling a future role.[Variety · NBC News]
- Disney declined to comment on the allegations made in the lawsuit.[Variety · NBC News]