Austin, United States of America (USA)- Billionaire entrepreneur, Elon Musk, has denied claims that he sexually assaulted a flight attendant back in 2016.
According to an article published by Business Insider, the flight attendant worked in the cabin crew for SpaceX‘s corporate jet fleet. During a flight in 2016, Musk allegedly asked her for a full body massage and then exposed himself to her, touched her leg and offered to buy her a horse in exchange for an erotic massage.
The Insider states that the story is based on a signed declaration by a friend of the attendant who spoke to the outlet on condition of anonymity, citing fears for her safety, and on documents, emails and other records pertaining to the incident.
According to the declaration, in the wake of the incident, the attendant felt she was being marginalized in her job. She felt she was being pushed out and punished for refusing to prostitute herself.
As a result the attendant then hired a lawyer in 2018 and sent the allegations to SpaceX’s Human Resources department. The complaint was resolved following a session with a mediator attended by Musk. In November of that year, Musk, SpaceX and the attendant entered into a severance agreement that involved a US$250 O00 payment in exchange for a pledge not to sue over the claims.
The insider also claims to know the identity of the flight attendant but will not disclose it because she claims to be the victim of sexual misconduct adding that she has personally declined to comment on the story.
However, Musk said the article in the Insider was a politically motivated hit piece, “If I were inclined to engage in sexual harassment, this is unlikely to be the first time in my entire 30-year career that it comes to light it’s a politically motivated hit piece.”
Musk also took to Twitter to respond to these allegations, citing that attacks against him should be viewed through a political lens.
“The attacks against me should be viewed through a political lens this is their standard (despicable) playbook, but nothing will deter me from fighting for a good future and your right to free speech,” tweeted Musk.
