Dustin Hice sued CNN anchor Don Lemon for sexual assault back in July 2018. What is the current status of the case?
The suit claims Lemon purposely approached Hice and put his hand down the front of his own shorts, furiously stroked his genitalia, removed his hand, and forced his index and middle fingers into Hice’s mustache and under his nose, according to the lawsuit.
Lemon knowingly did so with aggression and hostility, interrogating Hice about his sexuality, causing him to leave the bar shocked and humiliated, according to Hice.
Who is Dustin Hice? Bartender Suing CNN
Hice is a former bartender at The Old Stove Pub, a popular restaurant, and bar located in Sagaponack, New York. We can find him on Twitter under the username @DustinHice.
He has pinned the tweet that says, hey @donlemon, remember me? on his Twitter.
According to the lawsuit, he is demanding unspecified damages for “emotional anguish and suffering.” He claims he has been depressed and sleep-deprived since the alleged assault.
He further adds, “every night, the guy who assaulted me is on television, it feels like a dagger is twisting in my side.”
Don Lemon Sexual Assault Case Update
The case has been running for over three years, since July 15, 2018, but Hice has remained optimistic that justice will be served.
President Trump’s impeachment trial, the Democratic primaries, the coronavirus pandemic, nationwide police brutality protests, and countless other major news stories have brought a delay in the resolution of this case.
However, according to the court, all discoveries, including expert depositions, shall be completed on or before November 1, 2021. We hope for soon and fair resolution.
Hice claims that, after the encounter, he was concerned for his safety, felt “shame, humiliation, anxiety, rage, and guilt,” and found it difficult to continue working as a bartender in the Hamptons because people discussed and “joked” about the incident.
He further adds, he is suing for “severe emotional pain and loss of future earnings and opportunities,” among other things.
However, Lemon’s attorney declined the accusation saying Hice has previously exhibited a pattern of contempt for CNN on his social media accounts, and this allegation arises from his failed threats and demands for a large sum of money from Don Lemon.
But according to Hice, Lemon proposed a six-figure payment before talks broke down and the formal complaint was lodged.
However, he rejected the offer saying, “for me, it’s never been about the money; it’s always been about justice and accountability. CNN swiftly sided with him, claiming that I had anti-CNN rants and basically calling me a liar and accusing me of attempting to extort him, those are all lies.”
And now we have a witness of the case, Mr.George Gounelas, former boss of the bartender, who told Fox News that he witnessed the incident and corroborated his onetime employee’s claim. And also he feels sorry for making fun of him back then.
The final pre-trial conference will be held in person in Courtroom 1020 on January 5, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. before the undersigned.
Learn About his Age and Family
Hice was born in 1981 in the US. So, as of 2021, he is 40 years old.
However, there is no information regarding his father mother, and siblings, in addition to that he has never mentioned them on any social media platform.