‘Below Deck’ sexual assault lawsuit: Crew sues Bravo and Gary King over abuse

A shocking sex scandal has rocked the Below Deck franchise. Two staff members, Samantha Suarez and Grey Duddleston, are suing NBCUniversal, Bravo, and Gary King. They claim they were victims of sexual assault and retaliation. Their lawsuit has raised serious concerns about workplace safety on reality TV shows.

The allegations surface

Suarez, a hair and makeup artist, and Duddleston, a camera operator, have come forward with disturbing allegations. According to them, King’s actions during production crossed the line. On July 3, 2022, Suarez claims she was trapped in a hotel room by King. She had gone to deliver snacks and water to him. When she knocked on the door, King opened it wearing only underwear. He refused to take the water and insisted that she enter. Suarez was caught off guard but went inside. When she tried to leave, King allegedly lunged at her. He grabbed her by her upper body and restrained her with a tight grip. He chased her as she tried to escape, laughing in a menacing manner. Suarez was finally able to get away after a phone call from another staff member. But King allegedly followed her and grabbed her again.

Hostage situation in the hotel room

Suarez describes feeling trapped and helpless. She was unable to leave the room at first. King’s actions were terrifying. He blocked her exit and physically restrained her. Suarez feared for her safety as King stared at her with menacing eyes. The whole situation was intense and unsettling. After receiving the phone call, she managed to break free. However, it’s clear that the trauma didn’t end there.

The investigation and lack of action

Suarez reported the incident to 51 Minds, the production company. An internal investigation was conducted. King admitted the incident happened but faced no serious consequences. He was not fired. Instead, he was given a warning. Suarez was allegedly forced to sign a confidentiality agreement afterward. She claims she had to waive her right to therapy or treatment for the trauma. This decision has raised concerns about how the situation was handled.

Duddleston’s claims of further misconduct

Duddleston, who was Suarez’s boyfriend at the time, also claims he witnessed inappropriate behavior by King. He alleges that King untied the bikini tops of two female cast members without their consent. Duddleston also accuses King of making crude remarks to a female audio technician. In addition, he says King grabbed the genitals of two male camera operators. These actions, according to Duddleston, went unaddressed. He witnessed the abuse but felt powerless to stop it.

Retaliation and firing

After returning to the United States, both Suarez and Duddleston were allegedly fired by 51 Minds and NBCUniversal. They say they were placed on a “do not hire” list. This means they are now “unemployable.” Their careers in the industry were damaged. They believe this was done as retaliation for reporting the abuse. This move has sparked further outrage. It raises questions about how retaliation is handled in the workplace, especially on reality TV sets.

Bravo’s response to the scandal

The allegations first gained public attention in August 2023. Rolling Stone reported on the accusations against King. Despite the serious claims, King remained part of the cast. However, he was removed from the list of speakers at BravoCon that year. Bravo responded to the report by emphasizing its commitment to a safe and respectful work environment. They stated, “Bravo is committed to maintaining a safe and respectful workplace for cast and crew on our reality shows.” The network also mentioned that they require production companies to have proper policies in place. Bravo further noted that the concerns raised by Suarez were investigated. They claimed action was taken based on the findings, though many feel it wasn’t enough.

The legal battle between the staffers and the production companies is just beginning. The allegations continue to unfold, and new details are emerging. The lawsuit is pushing for accountability and justice. As the case moves forward, many are questioning how Bravo and NBCUniversal will respond. Will they take stronger action this time? The scandal has exposed deep issues within the reality TV industry. It remains to be seen what changes will be made to prevent future abuse. Stay tuned for more updates as the situation develops.