Same-sex harassment charges leveled at Elizabeth Taylor's butler (9443)

The New York Daily News's Rush & Molloy report that one of Elizabeth Taylor's former groundskeepers is going to court over allegations that he was sexually harrassed by Taylor's "house manager." Willem Van Muyden has filed suit in Los Angeles superior court, saying that he was assaulted by Jean-Luc Lacquement, who, the suit states, was "having sexual relations" with Taylor but was "having a difficult time getting sexually aroused in order to service Taylor's sexual needs." Van Muyden alleges that after he told Lacquement to try Viagra, Lacquement fondled Van Muyden and then, after Van Muyden pushed him away, had the groundskeeper fired.

Lawyers for Taylor, according to the suit, said that Van Muyden was fired because he hired illegal aliens and "threatened members of Taylor's household," allegations that Van Muyden denies. Van Muyden is suing for $294,159, the amount he says he is owed for his professional services. The Daily News could not reach Taylor for comment.