Woman Sues Disney Over Spanking

LOS ANGELES (CN) - A woman who attended a live taping of the Disney show "Good Luck Charlie" claims a comedian gave her an "unwarranted and unconsented" spanking in front of the audience and her two children, who looked on in "confusion and sadness."

Kellie Rodriguez sued Ron Pearson, It's A Laugh Productions, The Walt Disney Co., and Los Angeles Center Studios, in Superior Court.

Rodriguez says she took her children to see the taping of the sitcom at Los Angeles Center Studios in December last year. She says Pearson kissed her on the mouth at the end of his skit, without her consent.

The complaint states: "Plaintiff arrived at studio along with her two minor children, her sister-in-law and her three (3) daughters. During breaks in the taping of the scenes, Disney and Laugh had hired Pearson to entertain the audience.

"During the taping plaintiff left to use the restroom. It was observed that when she walked past Pearson that he was 'checking out' plaintiff's body. Pearson was observed looking up and down plaintiff's body in a lewd manner. This lewd behavior was further substantiated by plaintiff's minor daughter and plaintiff's sister-in-law's observing and commenting to the plaintiff warning plaintiff about Pearson's lewd behavior.

"At approximately 7:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. on December 22, 2011, Pearson came into the audience and picked three (3) adults to come up front to compete for a prize. Plaintiff was one of the three adults chosen along with another blonde female and a male guest.

"The 'contest,' as designed by Pearson required the three adults to do a silly dance to Village People's YMCA. As Pearson explained, whoever the audience cheered for the loudest would win the prize.

"During the 'silly dance' there was a dance maneuver in which plaintiff had to turn and her back was to Pearson. When plaintiff completed this dance maneuver, all of a sudden and without warning, Pearson started spanking plaintiff's buttocks with his hands. This unwarranted and unconsented spanking was relentless and did not cease until plaintiff physically turned around to stop it.

"This unwanted and unconsented spanking by Pearson occurred in front of the entire audience. Plaintiff was humiliated and at the same time powerless to do anything since it was in front of the entire audience.

"After the 'contest' was over, Pearson announced the winner, it was the single male contestant. Pearson then looked at plaintiff and pointed to his cheek wanting plaintiff to kiss him on the cheek. Being a good sport and further humiliated and powerless to do anything since it was in front of the entire audience, plaintiff attempted to kiss Pearson on his cheek and all of a sudden and without warning Pearson turned his face and kissed plaintiff fully on her mouth.

"Plaintiff immediately looked up to see her children and god-children's expression to be one of confusion and sadness. When plaintiff returned to her seat her children asked 'why did that man kiss you?' This question was asked numerous times throughout the evening. Further causing plaintiff embarrassment and humiliation.

"At no time did plaintiff consent to the spanking or the inappropriate kiss from Pearson. The other blonde female was not subjected to either the spanking or the kiss on the mouth. Further, the male contestant was not asked to kiss Pearson.

"It is clear that Pearson's actions were only directed at plaintiff because Pearson had been 'checking her out' prior to the 'contest.' Further, it is clear that choosing plaintiff was done to allow Pearson to sexually batter plaintiff."

Rodriguez claims that Disney, Laugh Productions and Los Angeles Center Studios "condoned, encouraged or ratified" Pearson's behavior by hiring him in the first place.

She seeks punitive damages for sexual assault, battery, negligence, negligent hiring, negligent retention of unfit employees, negligent supervision, negligent training, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

She is represented by Robert Drescher of Newhall.

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