A Cook County sheriff’s officer is suing the WWE and wrestler Montez Ford for what he said was an “unwanted sexual lap dance” while he worked security at a wrestling event in Rosemont last July.
Noel Lucas, an off-duty sheriff’s officer, was working as private security for WWE Monday Night Raw event at Allstate Arena July 6 and had been told to sit in a seat outside the ring for his post, according to the lawsuit.
He alleges Ford “approached him without warning, straddled him, and began repeatedly thrusting and gyrating his hips toward him in a sexually suggestive manner.”
Lawyers for Lucas say the nature of the entertainment event “does not excuse the conduct or eliminate the requirement of consent.”
“Mr. Lucas was there to do his job, not to be made a part of WWE’s entertainment,” said attorney Whitney Barr, who is representing Lucas. “He had been instructed to remain at his post, and while following those instructions, a WWE performer subjected him to unwanted sexualized physical contact in front of thousands of spectators and a nationwide audience.”
The WWE didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
The lawsuit says Lucas has suffered “substantial humiliation, emotional distress, and reputational harm,” including ridicule from the public and fellow members of law enforcement after videos of the incident went viral and were posted to WWE and Ford’s social media pages. He also alleges his children have been made fun of because of the incident.
Lucas is seeking an unnamed amount in compensation for emotional distress and punitive damages. He also demanded a jury trial, according to court documents. The first hearing is set for Dec. 10 at the Daley Center.
