Content Warning: This article about Chris D’Elia discusses sexual harassment. If you or someone you know are affected by the following story, you are not alone. To speak to someone, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
Disgraced “comedian” Chris D’Elia has been accused of soliciting child pornography in a civil suit filed in California federal court on Tuesday, March 2nd.
As Deadline report, the plaintiff, identified as Jane Doe in the filing, alleges that she connected with D’Elia on social media in 2014 whilst she was a 17-year-old high school student. The statement alleges that the then 34-year-old D’Elia was aware that the victim was underage, citing that he commented on a photo of her dressed for “spirit day” while at school.
The filing outlines that D’Elia engaged in sexual activities with the girl before going onstage at a show in Connecticut. The lawsuit claims that D’Elia asked the plaintiff what her age was multiple times, to which she told him she was seventeen.
The complaint reads that following the interaction, D’Elia “constructed a manipulative, controlling, and abusive dynamic,” that involved the plaintiff sending hundreds of sexually explicit photographs of herself over the internet. She alleges that when she refused his demands, D’Elia “psychologically punished her.”
The filing alleges that D’Elia “solicited and received” over 100 sexually explicit photos and videos from the girl, “all in violation of federal child pornography and sexual exploitation laws.”
This marks the third time Chris D’Elia has been publicly accused of inappropriate sexual misconduct. The comedian was previously accused of exposing himself in two separate incidents in 2011 and 2018. He has also been accused of soliciting underage girls on social media.
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In a statement provided to TMZ, last year D’Elia denied the claims, saying he “never knowingly pursued any underage women at any point”.
“I know I have said and done things that might have offended people during my career, but I have never knowingly pursued any underage women at any point,” he said.
“All of my relationships have been both legal and consensual and I have never met or exchanged any inappropriate photos with the people who have tweeted about me. That being said, I really am truly sorry. I was a dumb guy who ABSOLUTELY let myself get caught up in my lifestyle.
“That’s MY fault. I own it. I’ve been reflecting on this for some time now and I promise I will continue to do better,” he concluded
