WWE and Street Profits star Montez Ford, whose legal name is Kenneth Crawford, are reportedly facing a lawsuit filed by an off-duty Cook County sheriff’s deputy over an alleged incident during WWE’s July 6 episode of Monday Night Raw.
According to POST Wrestling, Noel Lucas, who was working as an off-duty security guard at Allstate Arena in the Chicago area, filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Cook County. Lucas alleges that Ford performed an unwanted lap dance in front of him during The Street Profits’ entrance.
The lawsuit reportedly includes 14 counts, including allegations of assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and violations of the Illinois Gender Violence Act. Event Services, LLC, a WWE subsidiary, is also named as a defendant.
Security Guard Alleges Unwanted Lap Dance During WWE Raw
According to the filing, Lucas was seated near the ringside barricade after a WWE employee allegedly positioned him in the path of The Street Profits during their entrance.
The lawsuit claims Ford then performed a sexually provocative dance directly in front of and over Lucas.
“Defendant Crawford then began performing a sexually provocative dance immediately in front of and over Plaintiff [Lucas], repeatedly thrusting and gyrating his hips and pelvis towards Plaintiff, performing a sexualized ‘lap dance,’” the filing states.
Lucas alleges that the interaction was unwanted and has since caused him significant personal distress.
Lawsuit Claims Lucas and His Children Were Ridiculed
The lawsuit also addresses the circulation of video footage showing the interaction. Lucas claims that the clip became widely available online, leading to both him and his children being mocked and ridiculed.
According to the filing, Lucas alleges that he has suffered humiliation, embarrassment and emotional distress as a result of the incident and its online exposure.
He also claims that the widespread use of the footage has exploited his image for commercial purposes, allegedly violating the Illinois Right of Publicity Act.
The interaction is not currently included in the Netflix replay of the episode, which reportedly cuts to a commercial during that portion of the show.
WWE and Montez Ford Face Multiple Legal Claims
The lawsuit names Ford and WWE, along with Event Services, LLC, and alleges violations across several areas of law. The claims include assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and alleged violations of Illinois laws concerning gender violence and publicity rights.
The allegations outlined in the lawsuit have not been established in court. No outcome has been reported in the supplied information, and the filing itself does not determine liability.
Further developments will depend on how the case proceeds through the Cook County court system.
