Photographer Terry Richardson was hit with a second sexual assault lawsuit filed just hours before the deadline for a special law allowing such claims.
Caron Bernstein, a former model and actress, claims the disgraced fashion photographer forced her to perform oral sex on him during a 2003 shoot then published the images in her art book.
The allegations are almost identical to those made by model Minerva Portillo, who filed her own suit a day earlier.
Both claims were filed under the Adult Rescue Act, a New York law that gives victims of sex crimes a year to file claims that are usually outside the statute of limitations.
Bernstein’s attorney said it was filed at the “11th hour” before the deadline to file a claim, coming four hours before midnight on the legal Thanksgiving deadline.
Other high-profile men hit with claims just before the window expired include: Axl Rose, Sean “Puffy” Combs, Cuba Gooding Jr. and New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
Caron Bernstein was a model in 2003 when she alleged that Richardson forced her to perform oral sex and used her image in his book. He filed suit after reading similar allegations from model Minerva Portillo. WireImage The high-profile photographer was a regular in Hollywood circles — including at the 2014 Vanity Fair Oscars party — until allegations of sexual misconduct in 2017 prompted major publishers and advertisers to drop him. Alamy Stock Photo
South African-born Bernstein, 53, claimed the incident happened at Richardson’s studio in New York in what his assistant said was a shoot for V magazine.
Bernstein was told that the photos were for a fragrance called “Sex” and that Richardson, 58, wanted to take “sexy” photos of herself.
V Magazine has denied that it asked Richardson to do such a shoot, the lawsuit says.
The suit says: “Instead of engaging in a professional photo shoot with Bernstein, Richardson instead sexually assaulted Bernstein, without her express or implied consent, by holding Bernstein’s head and forcing Richardson’s erect penis in and out of Bernstein’s mouth repeatedly and then squirting water Richardson’s semen on Bernstein’s neck, chest, and breasts.”
Bernstein, who was part of the New York social scene as a model, claimed that Richardson exploited the attack in his art books and exhibitions.Rich Press
The lawsuit describes the attack as “verbal” and claims that between five and eight of Richardson’s employees or assistants were present.
Richardson “continued to abuse and humiliate” Bernstein by photographing the assault as it happened.
These images appear in his art book Kibosh and his exhibition “Terryworld” says the suit, which seeks damages for battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress as well as gender-motivated violence.
Richardson is one of the world’s most famous fashion photographers, photographing Pres. Obama, Miley Cyrus and many celebrities, until 2017 when he was accused of sexual assault and rape by many women during the MeToo movement.
That includes Richardson making similar claims to his claims in media interviews.
Minerva Portillo, a Spanish model with a career spanning more than 20 years, accused Terry Richardson of forcing her to perform oral sex in a lawsuit filed on the last possible day. She inspired Bernstein to act, says the second model’s lawyer.Getty Images
Her claims led to fashion designer Tom Ford – who Bernstein modeled for – defending Richardson, saying “I love Terry” and that he had never seen such behavior around her.
Bernstein responded at the time by saying that Ford’s comments were an “abuse of power.”
Bernstein began modeling at age 14 and her acting credits include 2007’s “Resident Evil: Extinction.”
His lawyer Alberto Santoro said that he had seen the Post’s report about Portillo and was “humbled and inspired by his bravery and courage.”
The photographer’s links to Vogue made him a regular at his parties, including a 95th birthday celebration where he posed with Kanye West and Jared Leto.Getty Images for Vogue
She “spent Thanksgiving with her attorney” deciding whether to file her own lawsuit and decided to do so to stand “side by side with other victims.”
The Post has reached out to Richardson and his studio for comment.
He previously called the allegations against him an “emotional witch hunt.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
