Tommy Lee, the drummer for Mötley Crüe, is facing allegations of sexually assaulting a woman during a helicopter flight in February 2003. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles on Friday and reported by Rolling Stone, was brought forward by an accuser identified only as Jane Doe.
According to the lawsuit, the incident occurred during a 40-minute flight from San Diego County to Van Nuys, California. Doe claims that Lee engaged in non-consensual sexual acts, including groping, kissing, and digital penetration, as well as attempting to force her into performing oral sex.
Doe reportedly met the helicopter’s pilot, David Martz, through her bank, where he was a patron. During the flight, she alleges that Martz and Lee consumed alcohol, smoked marijuana, and snorted cocaine, though she herself did not partake in the offered alcohol.
The complaint describes a situation where Doe was invited to the cockpit and subsequently assaulted by Lee, who became more forceful when she resisted. The lawsuit details the alleged assault, claiming Lee exposed himself and tried to coerce Doe into a sexual act.
Doe is suing for gender violence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligence, stating that the alleged incident has caused her lasting emotional trauma, including shame and guilt. She is seeking compensation for damages, including medical expenses, lost earnings, and diminished earning capacity.
Rolling Stone’s report also mentions that Doe’s decision to come forward was influenced by Martz’s death in an aviation accident in 2015 and his history of illegal behavior. Martz had been detained for a DUI in 2009 and lost his pilot’s license multiple times due to disciplinary issues, as reported by the Associated Press and the LA Times.
