Rainbow Bar & Grill Settles Lawsuits with Victims of Ron Jeremy
The Rainbow Bar & Grill, a well-known establishment on Sunset Strip, has come to settlements with at least nine women who alleged that adult film star Ron Jeremy assaulted them while they were patrons at the bar. This resolution was announced during a court hearing on a Tuesday in Santa Monica, California, where attorneys outlined the details of the settlements.
Financial Compensation and Closure for Victims
These agreements come after the shocking news that Jeremy was found not competent to stand trial on multiple felony charges, including over 30 counts of sexual assault connected to 21 alleged victims. According to Rolling Stone, the settlements will provide the women with financial compensation as part of their pursuit of justice.
Aaron Osten, a lawyer representing some of the plaintiffs, stated, “This has been a really long road for my clients… This is pretty much as close to closure as we can get for our victims.” His clients testified before a grand jury about their experiences, claiming that Jeremy had cornered and assaulted them at the bar on multiple occasions.
Allegations Against Ron Jeremy
Ron Jeremy, whose legal name is Ronald Jeremy Hyatt, faces longstanding allegations stemming from incidents reported as far back as 1996. Initial charges against him included the rape of four women; these later expanded to include 34 counts of sexual assault across 21 victims, with some alleged victims being minors.
Claims of Bar Negligence
The lawsuits against the Rainbow Bar & Grill accused the establishment of negligence. The plaintiffs asserted that staff members were aware of Jeremy’s predatory behavior and failed to act appropriately, allowing him continued access to patrons and even restricted areas within the bar.
“There were so many victims out there. I don’t think Rockin’ Horse had any argument to make that they didn’t know this was going on at their establishment,” Osten remarked, emphasizing the overwhelming evidence against the establishment for enabling Jeremy’s behavior.
Continued Legal Proceedings and Settlement Details
While the Rainbow Bar & Grill did not admit to any wrongdoing, their legal counsel indicated that the decision to settle was made as a business strategy, given the potential costs associated with litigation. Attorney Michael Moss stated, “There has never been a finding, either civilly or criminally, that the Rainbow Bar & Grill did anything wrong.”
Details surrounding the financial aspects of the settlements have not been disclosed as the agreements remain confidential. The process of finalizing the settlements and distributing checks to the plaintiffs is currently underway.
Implications Moving Forward
Despite the ongoing legal situations, including a civil lawsuit involving another victim alleging drugging and assault by Jeremy at the same bar, the settlements provide some measure of resolution for those affected. The civil trial regarding the latter allegation is scheduled for December 2026. The outcomes of these cases could set significant precedents for future claims against establishments accused of enabling predatory behavior by their patrons.