CNN’s Don Lemon is sued for alleged assault

CNN reporter Don Lemon is facing accusations of assault, according to a lawsuit filed in Suffolk County, New York, over the weekend.

The plaintiff, a New York bartender named Dustin Hice, claims that Lemon assaulted him last year, July 2018.

Dustin Hice claims he recognized Lemon and tried offer him a drink, but the CNN anchor declined. The suit states that “Being cordial, Plaintiff tried to get Mr. Lemon’s attention and offered to buy Mr. Lemon a drink, a ‘Lemon Drop,’ a vodka coctail. Mr Lemon denied plaintiff’s offer and responded that he was ‘just trying to have a good time,’ ” the filing continues.

“Mr. Lemon put his hand down the front of his own shorts, and vigorously rubbed his genitalia, removed his hand and shoved his index and middle fingers into Plaintiff’s mustache and under Plaintiff’s nose,” according to the lawsuit.

Lemon then allegedly asked “Do you like pussy or dick?”, leaving Hice “shocked and humiliated”, according to the lawsuit.

CNN denied Hice’s claim, arguing that the accuser has “previously displayed a pattern of contempt for CNN on his social media accounts.” “This claim follows unsuccesful threats and demands for an exorbitant amount of money from Don Lemon,” stated a CNN spokesperson.

“Don categorically denies these claims and this matter does not merit any further comment at this time.”

The suit also claims that “When the cameras are turned off, however, Mr. Lemon’s actions are in stark and disturbing contrast to the public persona he attempts to convey.”

Hice denied attacking CNN on his social media accounts, stating to the New York Post: “I have never ever ranted about anyone, especially a news station. … I am a private, religious man.”

Has information from the New York Post, Fox News and USA Today.