Terry Crews is going after agent Adam Venit after alleging that the Hollywood player sexually assaulted him. In addition to filing a police report, Crews has now taken further legal action by filing a lawsuit against the WME agent.
According to Crews, Venit grabbed his genitals more than once without his consent during an industry party last year. In his lawsuit, Crews describes Venit’s alleged behavior that night as similar to a “rabid dog, sticking his tongue in-and-out of his mouth provocatively.” Crews also said that Adam Sandler, who is a client of Venit’s and was also at the party, was notified of the incident shortly after it happened. Crews said Sandler checked on him after he left and he told the comedian that he was “surprised he got molested at age 48.”
Also in the suit, Crews says he called his own agent at WME the following day to report the alleged assault and that Venit later called Crews to apologize, saying he “was just not himself that night.” Crews also claimed he met with WME’s chairman Ari Emanuel who not only apologized for Venit’s misconduct, but also told Crews that Venit did not have the power to blackball him as Crews had feared.
After Crews’ tweets in October revealing the alleged incident, Venit took a leave of absence from the company, but he went back to work at WME in November.
This whole thing with Harvey Weinstein is giving me PTSD. Why? Because this kind of thing happened to ME. (1/Cont.)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
My wife n I were at a Hollywood function last year n a high level Hollywood executive came over 2 me and groped my privates. (2/cont.)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
Jumping back I said What are you doing?! My wife saw everything n we looked at him like he was crazy. He just grinned like a jerk. (3/cont.)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
I was going to kick his ass right then— but I thought twice about how the whole thing would appear. (4/cont.)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
“240 lbs. Black Man stomps out Hollywood Honcho” would be the headline the next day. (5/cont.)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
Only I probably wouldn’t have been able to read it because I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN JAIL. So we left.
(6/cont.)— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
That night and the next day I talked to everyone I knew that worked with him about what happened. (7/cont.)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
He called me the next day with an apology but never really explained why he did what he did. (8/cont.)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
I decided not 2 take it further becuz I didn’t want 2b ostracized— par 4 the course when the predator has power n influence. (9/cont.)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
I let it go. And I understand why many women who this happens to let it go. (10/cont.)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
Who’s going 2 believe you? ( few) What r the repercussions?(many) Do u want 2 work again? (Yes) R you prepared 2b ostracized?(No)(11/cont.)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
I love what I do. But it’s a shame and the height of disappointment when someone tries to takes advantage of that. (12/cont.)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
He knows who he is. But sumtimes Uhav2 wait & compare notes w/ others who’ve been victimized in order 2gain a position of strength. (13cont)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
I understand and empathize with those who have remained silent. But Harvey Weinstein is not the only perpetrator. (14/cont.)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
Hollywood is not the only business we’re this happens, and to the casualties of this behavior— you are not alone. (15/cont.)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
Hopefully, me coming forward with my story will deter a predator and encourage someone who feels hopeless. (16/end)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
“Someone got a pass,” Crews said speaking on Venit’s return. Crews was critical of the lack of backlash and punishment for Venit in comparison to the consequences other powerful men in Hollywood have faced with the recent onslaught of sexual misconduct allegations.
