Second Woman Sues Casey Affleck Claiming Harrassment
NEW YORK (CBS) Actor Casey Affleck is facing a second sexual harassment allegation from another woman who worked on his upcoming Joaquin Phoenix documentary; these claims come less than two weeks after producer Amanda White accused the filmmaker/actor of "shocking behavior," according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Cinematographer Magdalena Gorka has accused Affleck of getting into bed with her without her consent and fondling her while she slept, states The Hollywood Reporter. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Gorka filed a $2.25 million lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court Friday accusing Affleck of repeated harassing behavior and negligence to remit payment or recognition once the alleged abuse caused her to leave the project.
According the lawsuit filed by Gorka, she was the only woman on the crew when production of the documentary began in New York, reported The Hollywood Reporter. Instead of staying at a hotel, Affleck, who is Phoenix's brother-in-law, reportedly made the decision for the crew to spend the night at Phoenix's apartment where the incident allegedly took place.
The lawsuit states that, "Unbeknownst to [Gorka], Affleck had entered the bedroom while she was asleep and crawled into the bed. When she woke up, Affleck was curled up next to her in the bed wearing only his underwear and a t-shirt. He had his arm around her, was caressing her back, his face was within inches of hers and his breath reeked of alcohol," according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Once Gorka discovered the unwanted visitor, she immediately told Affleck to leave to which he responded, "Why?" according to the lawsuit. Though persistent, Affleck reportedly fumed out of the bedroom when Gorka insisted that he leave.
Previously, producer Amanda White claimed she was subjected to improper behavior which forced her to leave the production of "I'm Still Here: The Lost Year of Joaquin Phoenix." She filed a $2 million lawsuit against the actor July 23. Affleck's lawyer Michael Plonsker dismissed those allegations as "preposterous and without merit."
The actor is known for his roles in films such as "Chasing Amy," and "Gone Baby Gone," which his older brother Ben Affleck directed. "I'm Still Here: The Lost Year of Joaquin Phoenix" chronicles the year Phoenix decided to retire from Hollywood, dropping casting calls for sound checks in his attempt to pursue a career as a hip-hop artist. It is Affleck's directorial debut.