Published
Sun, Jun 4, 2023, 15:30
- The Grammy-nominated DJ allegedly masturbated repeatedly in front of the then-23-year-old woman.
Paul Oakenfold has been accused of sexual harassment by a former assistant, Deadline reports.
A case was filed last Friday, June 2nd, at the Los Angeles Superior Court by a former employee of New Frequency Management, which manages the heavyweight UK DJ. The former employee is suing Oakenfold, as well as New Frequency Management, Paul Stepanek Management and several other unnamed defendants, for damages over alleged sexual harassment and workplace violations.
According to the court filing, the abuse began in October last year, on the first day of the woman's employment. It claims that Oakenfold masturbated in the woman's presence on numerous occasions, including four times in a single day.
The court filing adds that the plaintiff reported the alleged harassment to New Frequency Management CEO Stepanek, but was asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement two days later. According to the plaintiff, she was forced to sign the NDA in order to continue working for the company. She said she was then reassigned to other clients and had her hours "dramatically reduced."
On March 13th, 2023, the plaintiff was dismissed from the company. In the court filing, the woman said she was fired for reporting the alleged sexual abuse. She is suing for wrongful termination, retaliation, harassment and failure to prevent harassment.
Oakenfold, one of the most successful UK DJs of all time, has worked with the likes of Madonna, Britney Spears, Massive Attack and The Cure. He also soundtracked the 2001 film Swordfish with John Travolta and Halle Berry.
Resident Advisor has approached Oakenfold, New Frequency Management and Paul Stepanek Management for comment. Yesterday, June 5th, the UK artist issued a statement via Instagram, denying "any and all claims of improper conduct." He also appears to have been removed from the roster of artists on New Frequency Management's website.
Read Oakenfold's statement in full.
We'll report more on this story as it unfolds.
Photo: John Russo
Update, June 6th: This piece has been updated with Paul Oakenfold's Instagram statement denying the allegations.