Gary King Lawsuit 2026, Below Deck Star Faces Sexual Battery Claims—Judge Allows Case to Proceed Despite Arbitration Attempt

A Los Angeles judge ruled on February 3, 2026, that a Below Deck camera operator’s lawsuit against Gary King, Bravo, and NBCUniversal can proceed in court, rejecting the network’s attempt to force the case into private arbitration. Grey Duddleston and his ex-girlfriend Samantha Suarez filed the lawsuit in February 2025, alleging sexual battery, harassment, wrongful termination, and retaliation after reporting King’s alleged misconduct during Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 4 filming in 2022. Here’s what the lawsuit claims, why the judge allowed it to move forward, and what happens next.

What Is the Gary King Lawsuit About?

Two former Below Deck staffers filed a lawsuit against cast member Gary King for alleged sexual assault and battery, as well as against NBCUniversal, Bravo, and production companies for retaliation and wrongful termination. The suit was filed February 25, 2025, in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Samantha Suarez alleges she was held hostage in a hotel room by King on July 3, 2022, when King asked her to sleep with him in his bed after he got drunk while completing interviews for the show. Suarez was a hair and makeup artist on the Bravo reality show, while Duddleston worked as a camera operator.

The lawsuit names Gary King, NBCUniversal Media LLC, Bravo Media LLC, Mountain View Productions LLC, 51 Minds Entertainment, and Endemol Shine as defendants. Attorneys Bryan Freedman and Mark Geragos represent the plaintiffs as part of their “Reality Reckoning” campaign targeting workplace conditions on reality TV shows.

What Did Samantha Suarez Claim Happened?

According to Suarez, she was instructed by production to bring snacks and bottled water to King’s hotel room. When she entered, King—reportedly intoxicated—allegedly grabbed her, pinning her against him and pressing his body against hers.

The lawsuit alleges Suarez attempted to fight her way out, and when she finally got free and pulled the door open, King slammed the door shut with his entire body weight. Suarez claimed she was sure she was about to be raped and braced herself before she got a call on her cellphone, after which King let go of the door.

King allegedly followed her into the hallway in his underwear, rubbed her back, and asked, “What’s wrong, sweetie?” Suarez told him to return to his room.

What Did Grey Duddleston Witness?

Two weeks later, Duddleston claims he saw King grope two female crew members, pull a swimsuit top off a cast member, make lewd remarks to an audio technician, and grab the genitals of two camera operators while he was under the influence.

After reporting these incidents over the crew walkie-talkie system, Duddleston alleges 51 Minds and NBC opened an investigation into him for inappropriate use of the walkie-talkie system. King was asked back to film Season 5, which aired in January 2026. Neither Suarez nor Duddleston were invited to return.

Understanding wrongful termination lawsuits is critical here—both claim they were fired for speaking up about sexual misconduct while King remained employed.

Why Did the Judge Allow the Lawsuit to Proceed?

NBCUniversal Media LLC, Bravo Media LLC, and Mountain View Productions LLC filed a motion to keep Grey bound to a mandatory arbitration agreement he signed at the time of his employment. Arbitration would have forced the case into private proceedings instead of public court.

The Los Angeles judge ruled against this, citing the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021. This federal law allows victims of sexual assault or harassment to bypass arbitration clauses and sue in open court.

This is a significant win for Duddleston and similar to other recent workplace sexual harassment lawsuits like whitney-wolfe-herd-tinder where employees challenged arbitration requirements.

What You Must Know About This Case

Bravo Is Trying to Dismiss Samantha’s Claims – Another hearing is scheduled for April 28, 2026, where defense attorneys will attempt to get Suarez’s claims dismissed. The lawyers argue Suarez, a Georgia resident, cannot sue in a California court because her claims involve alleged conduct by King on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, more than 6,000 miles away.

King Was Removed from BravoCon But Aired in Season 5 – Gary was removed from BravoCon after the allegations surfaced in summer 2023, even though he vehemently denied any wrongdoing. Despite the allegations, Bravo aired Season 5 of Below Deck Sailing Yacht with King appearing regularly. The season concluded January 27, 2026.

NBC Allegedly Chose Ratings Over Safety – The lawsuit asserts that 51 Minds had actually decided to terminate King after the conclusion of Season 4 but were overruled by NBC, which did not want to sacrifice its cash cow for the sake of two crew members.

What Happens Next in the Gary King Lawsuit?

April 28, 2026 Hearing – Bravo’s attorneys will argue Suarez cannot sue in California for conduct that occurred in international waters off Sardinia’s coast. If the judge agrees, her claims could be dismissed, leaving only Duddleston’s case active.

Discovery Phase Begins – Now that the arbitration motion failed, both sides will exchange evidence including emails, text messages, walkie-talkie transcripts, and witness depositions. Production staff who witnessed the alleged incidents will likely be questioned under oath.

Potential Settlement Pressure – With the case proceeding publicly, Bravo and NBCUniversal face reputational damage. Attorney Mark Geragos calls Bravo’s decision to air Season 5 and stand behind King “inexplicable,” stating it’s a brazen doubling down of not just bad but abhorrent behavior.

King’s attorney has not publicly commented on the February 3, 2026 ruling allowing the case to proceed.

FAQs: Gary King Sexual Battery Lawsuit

When was the Gary King lawsuit filed?

The lawsuit was filed Tuesday, February 25, 2025, in Los Angeles Superior Court by Samantha Suarez and Grey Duddleston against King, Bravo, NBCUniversal, and production companies.

What is Gary King accused of?

The lawsuit accuses Gary of sexual battery and describes him as a known drunkard and serial harasser. Specific allegations include physically restraining Suarez in his hotel room and inappropriate sexual contact with multiple crew members.

Did Bravo investigate the allegations?

Yes. After Suarez reported the incident to co-executive producer Ryan Veercamp, who expressed shock and concern, King admitted to the accusations and apologized after a conversation with showrunner Courtland Cox. Despite this, King remained on the show.

Why weren’t Samantha and Grey invited back?

After NBC’s investigation, neither crew member was asked to return to the show, and on information and belief, they are now on a do not hire list and remain virtually unemployable in their field.

Will Gary King be on Below Deck Season 6?

Bravo has not announced Season 6 of Below Deck Sailing Yacht. Given the ongoing lawsuit and public backlash, legal experts believe King’s return is unlikely.

What is the Ending Forced Arbitration Act?

The Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021 is a federal law allowing victims to sue in public court instead of private arbitration, even if they signed arbitration agreements.

Can the case still be dismissed?

Yes. The April 28, 2026 hearing could result in Suarez’s claims being dismissed on jurisdictional grounds. Duddleston’s claims would proceed regardless.

Last Updated: February 4, 2026

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about the Gary King lawsuit based on publicly available court filings and news reports. It does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney for guidance on sexual harassment or wrongful termination claims.

Bottom Line: Gary King faces a sexual battery lawsuit from two Below Deck crew members who claim they were fired for reporting his alleged misconduct. A judge ruled February 3, 2026, that the case can proceed in court despite Bravo’s arbitration attempt. The next major hearing is April 28, 2026.

Stay informed, stay protected. — AllAboutLawyer.com

Real Court Documentation:

• Case filed February 25, 2025, Los Angeles Superior Court
• Judge’s ruling on arbitration: February 3, 2026
• Next hearing: April 28, 2026
• Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021

About the Author

Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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