Craig McLachlan has launched a defamation case against one of the actors who accused him of sexual misconduct during the 2014 stage production of The Rocky Horror Show, as well as against the media outlets which first reported the allegations made against him.
Former Rocky Horror Show actor Christine Whelan Browne was named in a defamation suit filed in the Supreme Court of New South Wales on Thursday. In January, Whelan Browne alleged that McLachlan groped her, was physically aggressive towards her, and made comments about her vagina while onstage.
In addition to alleging Whelan Browne also engaged in misconduct against McLachlan and commented on his genitals, the filing reportedly labels her “a notoriously foul-mouthed person who publicly distributed offensive matter”.
Fairfax Media and the ABC, which contributed to a joint investigation on the allegations made against McLachlan, have also been named in the filing.
The suit states “the plaintiff has been greatly injured in his business, personal and professional reputation and has been and will be brought into public disrepute, odium, ridicule and contempt” as a result of her allegations.
Victoria Police are investigating allegations against McLachlan made by fellow Rocky Horror Show actors Erika Heynatz and Angela Scundi. McLachlan has vehemently denied all of the allegations made against him.
This article discusses sexual assault and harassment. If you would like to talk to a counsellor about rape, sexual assault or domestic violence, give the people over at 1800 RESPECT a call on 1800 737 732.
