Judge Denies Arbitration in ‘Below Deck’ Sexual Misconduct Lawsuit, Allowing Claims to Proceed
A Los Angeles court has rejected a bid by NBCUniversal, Bravo, and Mountain View Productions to force arbitration in a lawsuit alleging a cover-up of sexual misconduct involving a “Below Deck” cast member, marking a significant victory for former crew members seeking legal recourse.
A judge’s decision on Friday allows claims of sexual battery, retaliation, and harassment to move forward in open court, fueled by the 2021 Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act. This landmark legislation empowers individuals alleging sexual assault or harassment to bypass mandatory arbitration agreements and pursue their cases publicly.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Wendy Chang issued the ruling following arguments presented on January 20, siding with plaintiffs Grey Duddleston and Samantha Suarez. Duddleston argued successfully that the studios could not compel arbitration given the provisions of the 2021 Act.
The lawsuit, initially filed in March 2025, centers on allegations against Gary King, a cast member on “Below Deck Sailing Yacht,” whom the plaintiffs describe as a “known drunkard and serial harasser.” The complaint details a pattern of alleged misconduct and a subsequent effort by production companies to protect King despite repeated complaints.
According to the suit, the alleged misconduct began in the summer of 2022 during the filming of Season 4 of “Below Deck Sailing Yacht.” Suarez, a hair and makeup artist, alleges that King physically restrained her after she delivered water and snacks to his hotel room, finding him partially undressed. She claims that while placing the items inside, King “lunged toward her and physically restrained her.”
The allegations extend beyond this single incident. Duddleston, a camera operator and Suarez’s then-boyfriend, reportedly witnessed King engaging in further inappropriate behavior, including untying the bikini tops of two female cast members, making lewd remarks, and sexually assaulting two male camera operators. Duddleston reported these incidents through the crew’s communication system, but instead of disciplinary action against King, an investigation was launched into Duddleston for improper walkie-talkie use.
This case echoes similar issues within the “Below Deck” franchise. In 2023, two crew members on “Below Deck Down Under” Season 2 were terminated following allegations of non-consensual sexual advances, incidents that were captured on camera and addressed by Captain Jason Chambers.
Defense attorneys are now preparing for a hearing on April 28, where they will argue that Suarez, a resident of Georgia, lacks standing to sue in California court. They contend that the alleged incidents involving King occurred on the Mediterranean Sea, far from California’s jurisdiction. “A determination that Suarez can avail herself of California’s laws with these allegations would transform the California court system into the International Court of Justice … and encourage the very forum shopping that resulted in the instant lawsuit,” lawyers for the defendants argued.
The current legal battle builds upon a previous filing from February 25, 2025, initiated by lawyers Bryan Freedman and Mark Geragos on behalf of Suarez and Duddleston. That filing accused NBCUniversal, Bravo, Endemol Shine, and producers of the series of sexual battery, creating a hostile work environment, retaliation, and failing to prevent discrimination.
The plaintiffs allege they were terminated from Season 4 and placed on a “do not hire” list after Suarez reported the July 23, 2022, assault in Sardinia. According to the filing, King admitted to the assault during an internal investigation, but was only warned about future behavior rather than fired.
A 2023 Rolling Stone article first brought allegations of a cover-up to light, detailing concerns that NBCUniversal prioritized protecting King – a “cash cow” for the network – over the well-being of the crew members. As of Tuesday, NBCUniversal and Bravo had not responded to requests for comment regarding the lawsuit.
The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for the reality television industry, potentially setting a precedent for greater accountability and protection for those working on these productions. Season 5 of “Below Deck: Sailing Yacht” concluded on January 27, and Bravo has yet to announce plans for a Season 6.
