Lucy Engelman charged in Manhattan Supreme Court that voice coach Peter Rofe assaulted her during the recording of a voice-over demo on June 29, 2015.
A veteran voice coach reportedly under investigation by the NYPD was hit with a class action lawsuit Wednesday alleging he sexually abused women who sought his expertise.
Lucy Engelman charged in Manhattan Supreme Court that voice coach Peter Rofe assaulted her during the recording of a voice-over demo on June 29, 2015.
“Peter Rofe groped and tried to force himself onto Ms. Engelman under the pretext that the sexual acts were part of a scene, even though it was not,” the suit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court reads. “Peter Rofe insisted that they both ran through the same dialogue three times and each time he forced himself onto her, grabbing her arms, pulling her against his body, and forcibly kissing her.”
In February, CNN spoke with 16 other women who alleged Rofe had used voice-over sessions to prey on them. Some said he took off his clothes during the sessions and convinced them to do so as well to “commit” to the role.
The network reported that the NYPD had arrested Rofe in 2004 for exposing himself but that the case was dismissed and sealed. At least 10 women had filed formal complaints with the NYPD, according to the report.
The Yelp page for Rofe’s company, the Irvington-based PDR Voice Over Coaching, is filled with women alleging repugnant behavior by Rofe.
Engelman, an artist living in Amsterdam who is represented by attorney Jordan Merson, says that “many” other women suffered similar experiences and are potentially eligible to join her suit. She seeks damages to be determined at trial.
Rofe’s attorney, Andrew Miltenberg, did not respond to an inquiry.
“For many years, Mr. Rofé has been a wonderful teacher and mentor to those aspiring to a career in voice-overs. He is proud of his clients and their achievements, and has always acted professionally and respectfully,” Miltenberg previously said in a statement to CNN.
Original story found here.
