Illinois Sheriff's Deputy Sues WWE Over Alleged 'Sexualized Lap Dance'

An Illinois sheriff's deputy has filed a lawsuit against World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and wrestler Kenneth Crawford, known as Montez Ford, alleging he was subjected to an unwanted "sexualized lap dance" while working security at a WWE event.

Noel Lucas, an off-duty Cook County Sheriff's Department officer, was seated ringside at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont on July 6 for a "Monday Night Raw" event when Crawford allegedly approached him. According to excerpts of the lawsuit, Crawford then began performing a "sexually provocative dance" directly in front of and over Lucas, "repeatedly thrusting and gyrating his hips and pelvis towards Plaintiff, performing a sexualized 'lap dance.'"

Lucas claims that Crawford's inner thigh was "repeatedly" rubbing against his leg during the incident. The lawsuit states that Crawford, a former marine, is one half of the WWE tag team, The Street Profits.

The deputy alleges that 14 counts in his lawsuit violate the Illinois Gender Violence Act, a law that allows survivors to sue perpetrators, those who engage in such acts, and in some cases, employers. Lucas is also accusing the WWE and Crawford of using his image for commercial purposes without his consent.

Lucas claims that after the incident, which was captured on Netflix's live stream of the event, he faced repercussions at his full-time job. He states that members of the public recognized him from viral social media videos of the encounter and mocked him. The lawsuit asserts that his children were "mocked and ridiculed" at school as a result, and that he has suffered "humiliation, embarrassment and emotional distress."

Footage of Crawford's dance appears to have been edited out of the Netflix broadcast. Lucas is seeking unspecified monetary and punitive damages, along with legal fees.

Lucas' attorney, Whitney Barr, released a statement saying, "Mr. Lucas was there to do his job, not to be made a part of WWE's entertainment. 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 first court hearing in the case is scheduled for December 10. The Daily Mail has sought comment from the WWE and co-defendant Event Services, LLC.