Friday 13 May 2022 09:47 PM Golden Globes member accused of sexual misconduct insists that HE was the victim trends now
A member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association who faced discipline over allegations of sexual misconduct has turned the tables on the group, claiming in a lawsuit that he himself was the victim of sexual harassment and racism.
Husam 'Sam' Asi made the explosive allegations in a lawsuit filed on Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court, claiming that he 'endured a pattern of sexual harassment, hostile behavior, racial epithets and discrimination, and retaliatory conduct.'
The suit alleges that Asi was groped and sexually propositioned by an HFPA board member, and that other members referred to him an a 'terrorist' and 'angry Arab,' according to the Los Angeles Times.
In February, Asi himself was accused of misconduct by three women who spoke on the record with The Wrap, accusing him of making unwanted advances and 'turning professional situations into sexualized encounters'.
Husam Asi (left) is suing the Golden Globes for 'weaponizing false sexual misconduct allegations'. He is seen with Alberto Barbera and Ali Suliman in 2021
In response to the allegations, the Palestinian journalist was investigated by the HFPA, where he is a longstanding member, and suspended by his employers at the BBC and newspaper Al-Quds Al Arabi.
Asi's allegations mark the latest twist for the troubled HFPA, which hosts the annual Golden Globes.
Earlier this year, NBC declined to broadcast this award ceremony over concerns about the group's racial track record, including the fact that it had not had a black member for 20 years.
Now, Asi claims that HFPA is 'weaponizing false sexual misconduct
