WWE star sued over unwanted lap dance that left alleged victim’s children ‘mocked and ridiculed’
WWE star Montez Ford is being sued, as is the company, for an unscripted, unwanted lap dance performed on a security guard at Monday Night Raw in July, which left the victim’s children being ‘mocked and ridiculed.’
The lawsuit alleges 14 separate accusations against Ford, real name Kenneth Crawford, including battery, assault, and intentional infliction of emotional distress following the Netflix-broadcast lap dance.
It describes the incident as “a sexually provocative dance immediately in front of and over [the security guard], repeatedly thrusting and gyrating his hips and pelvis, performing a sexualised lap dance.”
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Montez Ford’s ‘thrusting and gyrating’ hips in unscripted lapdance provoke lawsuit against WWE
The alleged victim, Cook County Sheriff Noel Lucas, was working as security at the Allstate Arena, his second job, when the WWE asked him to work nearer to ringside.
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Before the show’s opening match, Lucas was confronted by four-time WWE tag team champion Ford, who ‘thrusted and gyrated’ his hips into the WWE security guard’s face, live on Netflix.
The WWE later uploaded footage of the incident to social media. As a result, Lucas has named the company in his lawsuit, alleging that the company violated the Illinois Right of Publicity Act in using his image for commercial purposes without authorisation.
The clip is not visible on the Netflix replay; instead, the broadcast cuts to commercial break. According to Wrestling Inc, the July 6 episode of Monday Night Raw attracted 12,500 in-person fans, and 2.5 million views in seven days.
It is alleged that Lucas suffered “humiliation, embarrassment and emotional distress” after the event, and continues to be affected by the video’s existence online. The Illinois Gender Violence Act is also alleged to have been violated in Lucas’ lawsuit.
“Members of the public recognised him from the videos of the encounter that had circulated on social media and mocked him, thrusting their hips in his direction, imitating the sexual movements,” read Lucas’ suit.
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The children of Montez Ford’s alleged victim were ‘mocked and ridiculed’ after WWE event
As seen in the footage, Lucas initially appears uncomfortable by Ford’s actions, which continue for a prolonged period of time. Later, the WWE security guard is seen cracking a faint smile.
According to the lawsuit, Ford moved increasingly nearer to Lucas as his unscripted lap dance progressed, leading the WWE star’s left inner thigh to ‘repeatedly rub against the Plaintiff’s leg.’
At school, his children have been “mocked and ridiculed” following the incident, according to Lucas. He is now asking the court to award him unspecified monetary and punitive damages, his legal costs, and a court order that prohibits Ford and the WWE from using his identity.
A case management hearing is set for December 10, with Lucas being represented by Barr and Alexis Martin of Caffarelli & Martin Ltd.
In a statement received by POST Wrestling, Lucas’ attorney said: “Like so many law enforcement officers, Mr. Lucas works a second job in order to better provide for his children.”
The attorney’s press release then detailed the aforementioned allegations. In addition to working for the Cook County Sheriff’s Department, Lucas also supervises a team for private security firm Monterrey Security, which led him to work the Raw event.
Topics: WWE
Kedar Bayley