A former Penthouse magazine model is suing Guns N’ Roses singer Axl Rose, accusing him of sexually assaulting her in a New York City hotel in 1989.
Sheila Kennedy, 61, filed the lawsuit in the State Supreme Court in Manhattan under New York’s Adult Survivors Act, which lets victims sue over attacks that occurred decades ago – the law expires after Thanksgiving on Thursday.
More than 2,500 lawsuits have been filed so far under the law, which have targeted individuals, employers or institutions such as hospitals, accusing them of not doing enough to stop abuse, but the vast majority have been filed against the state, New York City and local counties involving allegations of abuse at state prisons and local jails.
Attorney Alan S Gutman said in a statement on behalf of Rose: “Simply put, this incident never happened. Notably, these fictional claims were filed the day before the New York State filing deadline expires.
“Though he doesn’t deny the possibility of a fan photo taken in passing, Mr Rose has no recollection of ever meeting or speaking to the Plaintiff, and has never heard about these fictional allegations prior to today. Mr Rose is confident this case will be resolved in his favour.”
It is the latest in a string of lawsuits filed under New York’s expiring Adult Survivors Act.
Bill Cosby
Several lawsuits filed before law expires
On Tuesday a woman accused Bill Cosby of drugging and sexually abusing her after offering to mentor her in her acting career – joining more than 60 women who have accused him of rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment.
He has denied all allegations involving sex crimes.
A spokesperson for Cosby, 86, declined to comment but suggested look-back windows in place in New York and elsewhere should be closed because they were being abused to go after wealthy celebrities, asking: “When is it going to stop?”
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Actor Nuno Lopes. Pic: AP
Actor accused of rape
Also on Tuesday American writer and filmmaker AM Lukas accused White Lines actor Nuno Lopes of drugging and raping her in 2006.
Lopes denied any wrongdoing and said he would not be afraid to take legal action against anyone who tried to defame him.
Terry Richardson. Pic: AP
And photographer Terry Richardson, who was effectively blacklisted by the fashion world in 2017 after multiple rape and sexual assault allegations, had a new lawsuit filed against him on Tuesday by Spanish model Minerva Portillo.
Record producer Jimmy Iovine
Jamie Foxx accused of sexual assault
Jamie Foxx was also sued under the act on Wednesday, by a woman who accused the Hollywood star of sexual assault while at a New York rooftop lounge in 2015. A spokesperson for Foxx has been approached for comment.
Meanwhile music industry veteran Jimmy Iovine was sued by a woman who claims she was sexually abused, forcibly touched and subject to sexual harassment and retaliation in August 2017.
A spokesperson for Iovine said they were “quite shocked and baffled” by the alleged claim, adding: “This inquiry is the first we’ve heard of this matter. No one has ever made a claim like this against Jimmy Iovine, nor have we been contacted or made aware of any complaint by anyone, including this unknown plaintiff prior to now.”
Actor Cuba Gooding Jr in court after he pleaded guilty
Oscar-winning actor sued by two women
Also on Wednesday Oscar-winning actor Cuba Gooding Jr was sued by two women whose sexual assault accusations against the star formed the basis of a criminal prosecution that ended with him pleading guilty in April 2022 but serving no jail time.
Lawyers who have represented Gooding in civil and criminal litigation over his alleged sexual misconduct did not respond to requests for comment.
Others who have been sued under the law include Russell Brand, former movie producer Harvey Weinstein, former president Donald Trump and hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs – whose case was settled after one day.