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Guns N’ Roses singer Axl Rose sued for alleged sexual assault
Guns N’ Roses lead singer Axl Rose is facing an allegation of a sexual assault through a newly-filed civil lawsuit by former Penthouse model Sheila Kennedy, who filed the suit against Rose in the New York Supreme Court on November 22. A copy of the lawsuit was published by Rolling Stone.
Kennedy claims that Axl sexually assaulted her violently in a New York hotel room in 1989. The lawsuit describes an alleged drug and booze-fueled incident at a hotel involving Rose, herself, another model, and former MTV host Riki Rachtman.
Rose is alleged to have had “violent” sex with the other model in the hotel room, and was “encouraging group sex”, to which Kennedy refused, choosing to accompany Rachtman to his hotel room.
It is alleged that Rose was heard shattering glass and yelling at the other model: “You’re a fucking whore. Get the fuck out of here.” Rachtman then allegedly informed Kennedy “it’s going to get bad.”
Rose then allegedly entered Rachtman‘s room and chastised Kennedy when he found her there.
The suit claims:
While Kennedy was on the ground, Rose grabbed her by the hair and dragged her across the suite back to his bedroom. (…)
Rose then sexually assaulted Kennedy. Rose forcibly penetrating Kennedy’sanus with his penis. Rose made no attempt to ask for or check that Kennedy was consenting. He treated her like property used solely for his sexual pleasure. He did not use a condom.
The suit claims that Kennedy has experienced PTSD-like symptoms since the alleged incident, besides anxiety and depression. Assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and gender-motivated violence are listed as causes of action in the suit. She is seeking the courts to establish potential damages.
Rachtman did not reply to Rolling Stone‘s request for comment on the subject.
Axl Rose has since denied the allegations, issuing a statement through his legal representative, Alan Gutman:
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 favor.