A December 2023 lawsuit has placed Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee at the center of a serious legal battle.
A woman, identified only as Jane Doe in court documents, alleges that she was sexually assaulted by Lee during a helicopter flight in February 2003.
According to multiple sources, including Vanity Fair and Rolling Stone, the incident involved a 40-minute helicopter ride from San Diego County to Van Nuys, California.
Jane Doe met the pilot, David Martz, in 2002 when she was working as a bank teller. Martz, who had been Tommy Lee’s private pilot, reportedly invited Doe for a helicopter ride which she was told would be a sightseeing trip in San Diego County. However, the flight unexpectedly turned into a trip to Los Angeles with Lee on board.
During the flight, both Martz and Lee are alleged to have consumed alcohol, smoked marijuana, and snorted cocaine. Doe claims she refrained from partaking in these substances. The lawsuit alleges that Martz encouraged Doe to sit on Lee’s lap for a better view, which she did under pressure. Almost immediately, Lee is accused of commencing the assault by groping and kissing Doe, and eventually forcibly penetrating her with his fingers. The plaintiff contends that Martz observed the assault without intervention.
The complaint details the emotional impact of the alleged assault on Doe, citing severe distress, humiliation, and guilt. She refrained from reporting the incident at the time, believing it to be an isolated case and fearing her claims would not be taken seriously by law enforcement.
The lawsuit, represented by lawyers Neville Johnson, Douglas Johnson, and Melissa Eubanks, charges Lee with sexual assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress, gender violence, and negligence. It also names several other entities as defendants, including Mayhem Touring, Tommy Lee Inc., Social Helicopters, and A Natural High Helicopters. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages, including medical expenses, loss of earnings, and loss of earning capacity.
David Martz, who passed away in a Cessna accident in August 2015, had a controversial history as a pilot. His pilot’s license was revoked multiple times, including for a documented incident involving oral sex with an actress during a flight.
This lawsuit sheds light on the grave allegations against a prominent figure in the music industry. While Tommy Lee’s representatives have not issued a statement regarding the accusations, the legal proceedings are expected to bring more details to light.
The case is ongoing and is being closely followed by the media and public alike for its potential impact on both the legal and entertainment worlds.