Justin Timberlake’s Secret Sexual Harassment Scandal Exposed Amid ‘Time's Up’ Protest
Jan. 9 2018, Updated 2:07 p.m. ET
Justin Timberlake supported the Time’s Up campaign at the Golden Globes to protest women’s harassment in Hollywood. But a bombshell 2009 lawsuit exclusively obtained by RadarOnline.com reveals he was once involved in a sexual harassment scandal.
Former manager of Timberlake’s New York City restaurant Southern Hospitality, Alison McDaniel, sued the singer and his business partners Eytan Sugarman and Ronnie Kaplan for sexual discrimination on May 12, 2009.
“One or more of Southern Hospitality’s owners and/or executive managers bullied, degraded, harassed and ultimately discharged McDaniel from her employment because of her gender,” the court papers read.
When McDaniel wrote a letter to defendant Sugarman complaining of the alleged “unlawful sexist and racist conduct” she was subjected to, she claimed she was terminated.
McDaniel claimed she became the subject of the “vile discriminatory conduct” once she became General Manager.
She claimed Sugarman once commented, “women do not make good leaders.”
She alleged the defendants “engaged in and allowed others to engage in the viewing of Internet pornography on the restaurants premises.”
She said Sugarman and Kaplan viewed pornography while in a locked room with McDaniel. They made fun of her when she began crying.
She accused Kaplan of verbally assaulting her, physically bumping into her and spitting in her face.
She claimed Kaplan's discussions with McDaniel were offensive to female employees, as he said “b***h,” “f**king b***h” and “cunt.”
McDaniel said Timberlake, “engaged in, acquiesced in or aided, abetted, tolerated and/or encouraged, the unlawful conduct described in this complaint.”
Timberlake’s rep released in a statement at the time, “While Justin and Trace Ayala continue their friendship with Eytan Sugarman who owns Southern Hospitality, they are not investors, owners, or partners, nor do they have any knowledge of or involvement in the operations of the restaurant.”
The case was settled on June 4, 2014. McDaniel dismissed it per a confidential settlement sealed in the court.
Despite the lawsuit, Timberlake donned a black suit at the awards show, while his wife Jessica Biel stunned in a Dior Haute Couture ball gown.
Viewers called out the “Filthy” singer for supporting the movement.
“Reminder that you’re one of the many men who is talked about. Time’s up Justin,” one Twitter user wrote, while another tweeted, “Time’s up for JT, too… I’m kinda over him.”
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He also faced backlash for supporting the campaign despite working with Woody Allen, who has been accused of sexual abuse.
Do you think Timberlake should’ve supported the campaign? Tell us in the comments!
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