Lawsuit Against Shangela Permanently Dismissed After Ex-Show Assistant Claimed Rape, Gender Violence
The lawsuit against Darius Jeremy "DJ" Pierce a.k.a. Shangela was dismissed “with prejudice,” which means it cannot be refiled
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Shangela at the 26th Costume Designers Guild Awards in February 2024.A lawsuit against Darius Jeremy "DJ" Pierce, better known as RuPaul's Drag Race star Shangela, has been dismissed.
On Wednesday, former Drag Race production assistant Daniel McGarrigle permanently dropped his lawsuit against the drag star that was seeking unspecified damages for alleged sexual assault, sexual harassment, gender violence, false imprisonment and negligence. McGarrigle previously alleged Pierce had raped him while they both appeared on HBO's We're Here in 2020.
The suit was dismissed “with prejudice,” according to documents obtained by PEOPLE, which means the lawsuit cannot be refiled.
PEOPLE has reached out to Pierce's rep for comment.
Phillip Faraone/Getty
Shangela at the GLAAD Celebrates Its Governors Awards in January 2024.The drag performer previously denounced the allegations in May 2023, saying in an exclusive statement to PEOPLE, "I can't begin to explain how hurt and disgusted I am by these totally untrue allegations. They are personally offensive and perpetuate damaging stereotypes that are harmful not only to me but also to my entire community."
“An external investigation into this embittered individual's claims previously concluded that they were completely without merit. This newest filing is nothing but an attempt to shake down both me and a well-regarded television company. No one should be fooled: it has no basis in fact or in law, and it will not succeed."
A spokesperson for the series also confirmed to PEOPLE that a complaint was filed after filming We’re Here, but an internal investigation found no proof of the alleged altercation. "Buckingham Television, the production company for 'We're Here,' received a complaint late summer 2021 regarding an incident that was alleged to have occurred in early 2020,” the spokesperson said.
“Buckingham and HBO take the safety and well-being of personnel on our shows very seriously, and Buckingham immediately launched an investigation. The investigation concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support these allegations."
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.
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