What’s not funny is sexual assault.  But in the current climate where career-ending accusations come fast and furious, where does due process fit in?  What ever happened to innocent until proven guilty?  Case in point – Don Lemon.  According to reports, he was in Sag Harbor last July and had an encounter with bartender Dustin Hice, who is suing for unspecified damages stemming from emotional pain and loss of earnings.  Hice was working at a bar called Murf’s.  According to his statement, Hice “tried to get Mr. Lemon’s attention and offered to buy Mr. Lemon a drink.”  Don apparently declined.  Later, Hice claims that Lemon “put his hand down the front of his own shorts, and vigorously rubbed his genitalia, removed his hand and shoved his index and middle finger in Plaintiff’s moustache and under Plaintiff’s nose.”  He then asked Hice, “Do you like pussy or dick?”  The “attack” has left Mr. Hice with “feelings of shame, humiliation, anxiety, anger, and guilt” – in other words, the way I felt in Casablanca!

Reports indicate that Mr. Hice asked Lemon for $1.5 million not to file the suit.  Lemon (again) declined.  Hice then posted a photo standing in front of CNN headquarters with the caption, “touring the #CNN center today…or as #Trump would say, ‘the home of Fake News’ lol.”  As for the network, CNN is standing by Don Lemon, stating, “The plaintiff in this lawsuit has previously displayed a pattern of contempt for CNN on his social media accounts.  This claim follows his unsuccessful threats and demands for an exorbitant amount of money from Don Lemon.  Don categorically denies these claims and this matter does not merit any further comment at this time.”