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A former model for Penthouse magazine filed a lawsuit against Axl Rose, the lead singer of Guns N’ Roses, on Wednesday. She alleged that he sexually assaulted her in 1989 at a hotel in New York City, resulting in anxiety, depression, and damage to her career.
61-year-old Sheila Kennedy filed a lawsuit in the State Supreme Court in Manhattan, requesting unspecified compensation for physical injury, pain and suffering, severe emotional distress, mental anguish, humiliation, embarrassment, anxiety, and financial losses.
A legal action was initiated against Rose, aged 61, from Malibu, California, using a temporary New York state law known as the Adult Survivors Act. This law allows adult survivors to file lawsuits for assaults that took place many years ago. The law is set to expire on Thursday.
Lawyer Alan S. Gutman stated on behalf of Rose: “In short, this event did not occur. It is worth noting that these fabricated allegations were submitted on the day before the New York State filing deadline.”
He stated, “While he does not deny the chance of a fan taking a photo while passing by, Mr. Rose does not remember ever meeting or talking to the Plaintiff, and was not aware of these made-up accusations until now. Mr. Rose believes that this matter will be resolved in his favor.”
Kennedy, a resident of Palm Springs, California, has filed a legal complaint claiming that she encountered Rose at a nightclub in Manhattan in February 1989. According to Kennedy, the singer then invited her to join a gathering in his hotel suite after the club.
The lawsuit claims that Kennedy witnessed Rose engaging in sexual activity with another model, after which he became upset with the woman and told her to leave his suite.
According to the lawsuit, he proceeded to face Kennedy and forcibly pulled her by her hair while also using pantyhose to bind her hands together. He then proceeded to attack her from behind.
According to the lawsuit, Rose did not try to confirm or request Kennedy’s consent. He treated her as an object solely for his own sexual gratification.
The legal case stated that the assault caused Kennedy to suffer lasting emotional, physical, psychological, and financial harm and has resulted in symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress disorder whenever she is reminded of Rose or listens to music by Guns N’ Roses.
According to the lawsuit, she has been diagnosed with anxiety and depression as a result of the attack. This has also caused a decline in her earnings because she has been avoiding nightclubs and social situations where she may come across Rose or hear his music. These social interactions are crucial for her career.
Kennedy has previously accused Rose of misconduct, as stated in her 2016 book “No One’s Pet” and the 2021 documentary “Look Away,” which focuses on sexual abuse against women in the music industry.
Generally, the Associated Press does not reveal the identities of individuals who claim to have experienced sexual abuse unless they make their accusations public, which Kennedy has chosen to do.
Source: independent.co.uk
