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Comedian Chris D’Elia is back in the headlines.
After allegations surfaced last year that the comedian was grooming young women for sexual relations, a new lawsuit has been filed against D’Elia that alleges he had sex with a 17-year-old high school student. Jane Doe alleges D’Elia said it was “hot” when she told him her age, according to TMZ.
D’Elia is being sued for allegedly violating federal child sexual exploitation and child pornography laws.
The lawsuit alleges D’Elia and the victim began communicating on social media in 2014 when she was 17 and that he demanded nude photos shortly after they began talking. He then invited her to his hotel room before a show in Connecticut where they later had sex.
A spokesperson for D’Elia denies the latest allegations.
“Chris denies these allegations and will vigorously defend himself against them in court,” a statement read.
D’Elia recently returned to YouTube where he issued a statement on his hiatus following the initial allegations. D’Elia said he has been getting help for sex addiction after realizing that sex was controlling his life.
“I know it looks bad – it doesn’t show the full scope of what happened. I stand by the fact that all my relationships have been consensual and legal, and that’s just it. That’s the truth,” D’Elia said in the video. “Sex controlled my life… And that’s not the guy I want to be.”
D’Elia had previously acknowledged getting caught up in fame and a womanizing lifestyle in the past but vowed to do better moving forward when the allegations first surfaced last year.
“I know I have said and done things that might have offended people during my career, but I have never knowingly pursued any underage women at any point,” D’Elia said in a statement to TMZ. “All of my relationships have been both legal and consensual and I have never met or exchanged any inappropriate photos with the people who have tweeted about me.
“That being said, I really am truly sorry. I was a dumb guy who ABSOLUTELY let myself get caught up in my lifestyle. That’s MY fault. I own it. I’ve been reflecting on this for some time now and I promise I will continue to do better.”
