OPINION | This article contains commentary that reflects the author's opinion.
CNN has been in hot water lately following the termination of its star anchor Chris Cuomo over his disturbing ties to sexual misconduct allegations.
In a separate matter, Dustin Hice has filed a lawsuit against CNN anchor Don Lemon.
After a prolonged legal process, the case is expected to be in court early next year.
Lemon, who is openly gay, is accused in the suit of committing sexual assault and battery at a bar on New York’s Long Island. The incident allegedly occurred in the summer of 2018.
Hice told Fox News that CNN is “a network rife with predators and perverts.”
“Lemon will have to testify under oath in the near future, but it’s good to see that there’s finally some accountability happening,” he continued.
Lemon allegedly putting his hand down the front of his shorts, “vigorously” rubbing his genitalia, and then allegedly shoved the same hand into Hice’s mustache area. Lemon is also accused of asking a vulgar question while putting his hand in Hice’s face.
Hice says he’s looking for closure and peace of mind following what he describes as a horrific encounter..=
CNN has stood by Lemon, Fox News reports.
CNN boss Jeff Zucker is also accused of standing by Chris Cuomo despite having knowledge of Chris’ involvement in his brother’s inner circle amid alarming sexual misconduct allegations.
“This is who they are. They’re a predator-protecting machine, they slander and smear victims with impunity,” Hice added.
Hice says he turned down multiple settlement offers.
“They’ve tried to grind me down, they’ve attempted to intimidate witnesses in my case, they’ve released confidential information about me in attempt to doxx me. They are complicit. This is who they are,” Hice said.
More from Fox News:
Hice’s lawsuit filed Aug. 11, 2019, in Suffolk County Court alleged Lemon “intensely pushed his fingers against Plaintiff’s face under Plaintiff’s nose, forcing Plaintiff’s head thrust backward as Defendant repeatedly asked Plaintiff, ‘Do you like p—y or d–k?’”
The suit also said Lemon “continued to shove his fingers into Plaintiff’s face with aggression and hostility” throughout the confrontation.
In an answer to the complaint, Lemon denied all wrongdoing and called the suit “frivolous.”
Lemon and Cuomo are known to be close and regularly expressed admiration for each other during their nightly, on-air handoff between their two programs. The playful banter between the two CNN hosts was among the network’s most popular segments on nightly basis.
“The blessing is that we’re actually friends. A lot of stuff in the media is phony. A lot of couples that you see on news shows, they are friendly for the purpose of the show, and that’s neither good nor bad. It is not the case with us,” Cuomo said about Lemon earlier this year.
Cuomo and Lemon also co-hosted a podcast together before the former was terminated by CNN.
