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Don Lemon accuser Dustin Hice says CNN is 'rife with perverts' and protects predators

Dustin Hice, 41, claimed Don Lemon jammed his finger in his face after rubbing his own genitals, in a lawsuit filed in 2019

In the wake of Chris Cuomo's firing from CNN, a bartender who previously accused the network's anchor Don Lemon of sexual assault has said the news network is "a predator protecting machine" that is "rife with perverts."

Cuomo's termination from the news channel came after a sexual misconduct allegation was leveled at him last week, on the heels of another scandal involving his efforts to help his brother former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who was accused of sexual harassment too. Dustin Hice, 41, has claimed that Don Lemon jammed his finger in his face after rubbing his own genitals, and filed a suit against Lemon, 55, in August 2019 alleging that the CNN star had assaulted him at a Hamptons bar. Lemon denied the allegations.

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'Network rife with predators and perverts'

"They're a network rife with predators and perverts," Hice told Fox News Digital. "Lemon will have to testify under oath in the near future, but it's good to see that there's finally some accountability happening. This is who they are. They're a predator-protecting machine, they slander and smear victims with impunity. They've tried to grind me down, they've attempted to intimidate witnesses in my case, they've released confidential information about me in attempt to doxx me. They are complicit. This is who they are."

Hice's case is expected to end up in court early next year after a prolonged legal process. "I’m not doing this for notoriety or fame, I’m doing this because I’m standing up for myself and what I believe in," Hice told Fox News. "I’ve grown a new respect for people dealing with mental health issues because stress, depression, anxiety, those are all very serious things. It consumed my life."

What happened to Hice?

Hice claims that he was with co-workers at Murf’s Backstreet Tavern in Sag Harbor in July 2018, when he recognized Lemon. As a "cordial gesture," he "tried to get Mr. Lemon’s attention and offered to buy Mr. Lemon a drink." Lemon responded to Hice's offer by declining the drink and telling the young man he was "just trying to have a good time."

Minutes later Hice claims that things took a bizarre turn just minutes later. "Sometime later that evening, unexpectedly, Mr. Lemon walked towards Hice and his colleagues inside of Murf’s," states the complaint. "At such time, Mr. Lemon, who was wearing a pair of shorts, sandals, and a t-shirt, put his hand down the front of his own shorts, and vigorously rubbed his genitalia, removed his hand and shoved his index and middle fingers into Plaintiff’s mustache under Hice’s nose."

It then goes on to allege: "Mr. Lemon intensely pushed his fingers against Plaintiff’s face under Plaintiff’s nose, forcing Plaintiff’s head to thrust backward as Lemon repeatedly asked Hice 'Do you like p***y or d**k?" While saying this, Mr. Lemon continued to shove his fingers into Hice's face with aggression and hostility." This caused Hice to flee the bar and take a five-minute break to compose himself before returning inside. He claims the incident left him "shocked and humiliated." Lemon was gone by that point. Hice has revealed that he was offered a $500,000 settlement by Lemon before negotiations broke down and a formal complaint was filed. 

'CNN is about to explode with scandals'

A number of social media users reacted to Hice with mixed comments. "Oh Dustin, you meant Fox right?" one of them said, while another noted, "If that was the Case Trump would have chosen CNN as his fav-news. Lol." One more commented, "CNN fired douchebag @ChrisCuomo finally, next up is douchebag @donlemon, Dustin Hice will get his day in court, and down will go another protected pervert, bye bye Douchebag Don !!" Another said, "CNN is about to explode with scandals they’ve been covering up."