**Update: Shelby’s attorney released a statement to automotive blog Jalopnik. View statement below.
The celebrity gossip site TMZ is reporting Carroll Shelby has been accused of sexual assault by Angelica Smith, a former employee who worked as a receptionist for Shelby. The female employee began working for Shelby back in 2005 and claims she was treated as a “personal servant” rather than a receptionist.
Today Angelica Smith filed a lawsuit in L.A. County Superior Court claiming the 88-year-old Shelby ran a “pervasively hostile work environment” and “on at least one occasion, Shelby himself sexually groped her at his home. Smith also goes onto say in the lawsuit she was forced by Shelby to go on “grocery runs, liquor runs and pornography runs.”
She also claims in the lawsuit it got worse in December of 2010 when she was allegedly drugged and raped at Shelby’s home by another employee who worked for Shelby. She claims the rape was brought to the attention of Shelby who “did not take any corrective action.”
Smith was eventually fired by Shelby for what she calls retaliation for reporting the rape to Shelby. Smith is suing Shelby and his companies for the alleged allegations plus more than $5 million in damages.
These are some pretty hefty allegations for one of the most recognizable automotive legends in the world. I don’t think this is the way Carroll Shelby would like to be remembered but if these allegations are true he only has himself to blame.
What kind of strain could this lawsuit put on Shelby’s relationship with Ford and future GT500 models?
Lets get the comments going with your thoughts on this situation.
Source: TMZ
**Update** – Shelby’s attorney released the statement below through Jalopnik.com:
Carroll Shelby is disappointed that such wild and fantastical allegations have been made by a former employee. The fact is that her position was no longer required due to Mr. Shelby’s age, health and work schedule. But this apparently disgruntled former employee and her counsel have chosen to turn this into yet another prematurely publicized, frivolous lawsuit against a public figure. Carroll Shelby has full confidence in the judicial system and believes that the truth will come out through the legal process.
I just hope that everything will be resolved. I wonder why didn’t Shelby tried to resolve the rape allegation, which was made by Angelica Smith. I am glad that Shelby didn’t commit the assault but it was former employee who was involved in the allegation.
On the second thought, I’ve read another article, which the victim claimed she was groped by the old man so somehow the man was involved in the assault.
I hope he really didn’t do this. If he is found guilty I hope it doesn’t get publicized for the reputation of the company.
Good luck, Shebly.
No doubt some more BS from lame broad looking to cash in. This is a lie and to prove it consider this why didn’t she come forward before the resurgence of the Shelby cars? Anyhow didn’t she go get porno movies? Further more she claims she got groped by some old man,really, then who? Whats the corrective action to do after there is some allegations of a rape, open up a can of worms with investigations and lets make sure we put another business out of business. Sounds like this is a personal affair between to employees having some hanky panky on the job. And by the way if Shelby did get it on with her did he need some more nitroglyceren pills or maybe she wasn’t that hot. Either way I sense another reality show here. perhaps old Shell could have a show for octogenerians call it ….Carrol’s Concubines or Shell whips out his King Cobra. Either way move over Hef theres a new sheriff at sun city.