
Celebrity settles case alleging crew rape
Former crew member alleged she was sexually assaulted by cruiseship’s security officer.
Celebrity Cruises has reached a settlement with a former crew member who alleged that she was sexually assaulted by a security officer on a cruiseship.
Following the agreement, US District Judge Kathleen Williams dismissed the case yesterday, according to court records in the federal court in Miami.
The woman filed the lawsuit earlier this year over an alleged attack in November 2014 while she was working aboard the 2,890-berth Celebrity Reflection (built 2012), which is Malta-flagged.
In court papers filed by Miami lawyer Jonathan Aronson, she alleged that the assistant chief security of the vessel plied her with alcohol “to the point of unconsciousness” and then sexually assaulted and sodomised her.
Accuser not identified
The woman filed the lawsuit under the pseudonym Jane Doe.
The lawsuit alleged negligence, evidence spoliation and other claims.
The woman accused Celebrity, which is owned by Miami cruise giant Royal Caribbean Cruises, of destroying evidence and helping the security officer to escape justice.
“Following the sexual assault, the defendant denied appropriate and timely medical care to Jane Doe, and more particularly, allowed the assistant chief security officer to roam the vessel, without restriction, intimidating potential witnesses and destroying critical evidence,” Aronson wrote.
Royal denial
Royal Caribbean in-house lawyer Leah Martinez filed papers denying the woman’s allegations.
The parties reached a settlement after a successful mediation session on 1 December, according to court papers.