NHL mascot sued for inappropriate behavior

The man who dresses up as Los Angeles Kings' team mascot known as "Bailey", Tim Smith, is being sued by a dishwasher for allegedly groping his buttocks in a Staples Center elevator back in 2016


Maso Griffin's Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit names as defendants Tim Smith and his employer, Kings' owner Anschutz Entertainment Group Inc., as well as Levy Restaurants Inc. and Compass Group USA, who both provide food services for the Staples Center. The law suit seeks unspecified damages.

Smith, the mascot wearer, didn't respond to an email seeking comment. As a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Kings said team officials haven't seen the lawsuit and could not comment any further. According to the lawsuit, it states that Griffin who worked for Levy Restaurants and that Smith wears the mascot costume named "Bailey". Smith is married to Melissa Smith, Levy's director of human resources.

During an elevator ride at the arena on December 8th of 2016, Smith, when dressed as Bailey put one hand on Griffin's shoulder and used the other to get a firm squeeze off of the plaintiff's buttocks. Griffin, who was angry and was about to say something to Smith when someone who works with Griffin, who was in the elevator at the time said "That's the HR lady's husband," according to the complaint.

Griffin reportedly complained the next day to Melissa Smith, who became furious and Griffin was 'taken off the schedule for a time.' Griffin was also allegedly subjected to deragatory comments by co-workers such as "Was his hand furry?".

Griffin alleges that he was fired after a meeting with Ms. Smith on December 21st of that year. He also firmly believes he was fired due to the fact that he complained about her husband's unconventional conduct.