Actor John Travolta from Hollywood is targeting the cruise ship employee who claims the celebrity sexually assaulted him.
Court documents submitted on Friday by prominent Los Angeles attorney Marty Singer indicate that Travolta has requested the dismissal of the lawsuit filed by former Royal Caribbean staff member Fabian Zanzi, along with a demand for Zanzi to cover legal expenses.
Travolta has reportedly confirmed his presence on the 2009 cruise.
However, he has refuted all allegations of misconduct made by Zanzi.
In May, Zanzi raised startling accusations, claiming that an incident occurred while he was working as a room service operator for Royal Caribbean International in 2009, during a delivery to Travolta’s stateroom.
Earlier this year, he joined a growing number of men who came forward with allegations against the actor, including three masseurs and a gym employee.
Zanzi alleged that the star of Saturday Night Fever requested a neck massage, and as he leaned in to oblige, the 58-year-old actor allegedly dropped his robe, revealing his erect penis.
The Chilean-born worker, who is seeking unspecified damages, stated he resisted, after which Travolta purportedly offered him $12,000 to remain silent.
It came to light that Zanzi never disclosed many details when he lodged a complaint with cruise ship management, now asserting they prohibited him from documenting any incidents involving nudity or sexual contact.
Marty Singer, Travolta’s lawyer, emphasized this in a pointed statement.
He remarked, ‘This lawsuit is ludicrous with baseless claims. It’s clear that Mr. Zanzi and his lawyers are pursuing their 15 minutes of fame.
‘The outrageous allegations in the lawsuit are in direct contradiction to what Mr. Zanzi reported to his employer back in 2009 while facing disciplinary action for his violations of company policy.
‘In a handwritten report from three years ago, he only mentioned that there was alleged physical contact involving my client’s neck.
‘The inappropriate behavior he claims in his lawsuit is completely missing from the report he submitted at that time. That significant omission says a lot.
‘Additionally, raising doubts about his credibility is his puzzling claim that his employer confined him in a room on the cruise ship for five days; however, after that incident supposedly took place, Mr. Zanzi continued his employment with Royal Caribbean for years across multiple ships.
‘Now, after a three-year period and being compensated to share his story with the media, Mr. Zanzi has chosen to file this ridiculous lawsuit.
‘We are certain my client will win on the merits and that he will be entirely vindicated in court.’
Mr. Singer was referencing an employee discipline form where Fabian Zanzi acknowledged to Royal Caribbean International superiors that he had indeed rubbed the Look Who’s Talking actor’s neck but declined the request to return later.
by Lorelle Heath
