Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against Will Smith Dismissed

Los Angeles: Hollywood actor Will Smith finally won the court decision to dismiss the sexual harassment lawsuit filed against him last year. According to Billboard, the lawsuit was filed by an electric violinist who performed on the ‘Based on a True Story’ tour. The court order, issued on Tuesday, May 5, granted Will Smith’s request to dismiss the claims Brian King Joseph filed in December. The violinist, who placed third on America’s Got Talent in 2018, claimed that she was “illegally fired” from the actor’s international tour after she reported that someone had broken into her Las Vegas hotel room and left sexually explicit material, Billboard reported. A note reading “Brian, I’ll be back” was also found next to the material.

Judge Michael Shultz stated that although the note was sexual in nature, its existence did not rise to the level of sexual misconduct in the workplace. The judge also said it was not reasonable for Joseph to assume, without any evidence, that Smith or any of his employees were responsible for the alleged break-in. “The allegations do not support a concerted pattern of harassment that is sufficiently serious and pervasive to create an abusive work environment,” the court ruling said, according to Billboard. Additionally, the court noted that the flaws in the case rejected not only Joseph’s sexual harassment claims, but also wrongful termination and retaliation claims. In a lawsuit filed in California state court, Brian King Joseph accused Will Smith of “predatory behavior” and “intentionally grooming and preparing” him to “sexually abuse,” but did not mention a specific incident involving Smith.

Responding to the lawsuit at the time, Smith’s attorney, Allen Grodsky, denied the allegations, calling them “false, unfounded and reckless.” Smith’s attorney, Allen Grodsky, called the allegations “false, baseless and reckless” in a statement. “They are categorically denied and we will use all legal remedies available to address these allegations and ensure the truth comes to light.”