Comedian Chris D’Elia has been accused of sexual exploitation and soliciting child pornography from a 17-year-old girl in a new lawsuit, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The lawsuit was filed in California federal court Tuesday, the outlet reported.
D’Elia is accused of soliciting more than 100 sexually explicit photos and videos from a woman identified as “Jane Doe.”
Half of the photos and videos were allegedly taken when Doe was 17 years old, the suit alleges https://t.co/Hlmqvci4oe
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) March 2, 2021
The unidentified woman claimed D’Elia connected with her on social media in 2014 after she reached out to him. She claimed he later commented on one of her high school “spirit day” photos and knew she was underage, Page Six reported.
D’Elia has been accused of soliciting over 100 sexually explicit photos and videos from the Jane Doe. (RELATED: REPORT: Chris D’Elia Accused Of Exposing Himself To Women, Men)
“When I was in my final year of high school and still a child, I was groomed by a celebrity twice my age,” the woman claimed in a statement released Tuesday by her attorneys, Monica Beck and Chloe Neely of the Fierberg National Law Group, the Los Angeles Times reported. “Chris D’Elia abused his status and fame to lure me in, take advantage, and manipulate me when I was at a vulnerable age. I want any other girls out there to know that they are not alone, and it is time to get justice for the mental and physical toll he has put us through.”
D’Elia denied the allegations in a statement from a representative.
“Chris denies these allegations and will vigorously defend against them in court,” a spokesperson for the comedian told the Los Angeles Times.
D’Elia has previously been accused of unwanted sexual advances by minors. The comedian denied the claims in a statement at the time and later shared a video on Twitter explaining himself.
“I do know how it looks with all the stuff that’s been said,” D’Elia said. “I know it looks bad, and it doesn’t show the full scope of what happened.”
D’Elia claimed the relationships had been “consensual and legal” but admitted that “sex controlled” his life.
“I have a problem … I need to do work on that,” D’Elia added.
D’Elia’s episode of “Workaholics” was removed in June following the allegations.