Arts & Entertainment

Elton John sued for sexual harassment by ex-bodyguard

Grammy winner allegedly made sexual advances on employee

Published

10 years ago

March 30, 2016

Mariah Cooper

(Screenshot courtesy of YouTube)

Elton John’s ex-bodyguard is suing for alleged battery, sexual battery and sexual harassment.

Former Los Angeles Police Department sergeant Jeffrey Wenninger alleges the musician made “unwelcome” advances on him starting in 2002, but that the incidences became greater in “frequency and intensity after 2010.”

The lawsuit lists three specific incidents in 2014 that claims John was inappropriate with Wenninger. The former body guard claims John would make comments like “You have so many gay genes in you. They just haven’t met up yet” and “Get your [penis] out.”

Wenninger claims John attempted to touch Wenninger’s penis and buttocks on numerous occasions. John allegedly also put his hand up Wenninger’s shirt and twisted his nipples. Wenninger says he attempted to resist John’s advances physically and verbally, but John continued his behavior.

Wenninger is suing for medical costs, lost wages and “physical, mental, and emotional injuries.”

The Grammy winner’s lawyer Orin Synder called Wenninger “a disgruntled former security officer seeking to extract an undeserved payment” in a statement.

“These claims are patently untrue and contradicted by numerous previous statements made by this plaintiff,” Snyder says in the statement. “We will not give into his latest abuse of the legal system.”

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Bars & Parties

Queer Magic dance party planned

Tarot, dancing, drag and more at Black Cat event

Published

1 day ago

June 5, 2026

Michael Key

Celebrate the start of Pride month at the Queer Magic Dance Party at the Black Cat on Saturday, June 6. Doors open at 9 p.m.

There will be pole performances and demonstrations, a free photo booth with glitter bar, a queer vendor market, tarot readings by Skye Marinda Tarot, a drag performance by Sapphica, and dancing to a blend of smooth R&B, Afrobeats, hip-hop and pop by Slammer & Saba. Tickets are $20 at the door or $15 (plus fees) in advance, purchased here.

Out & About

NLGJA-DC Pride happy hour at Trade

Local queer journalists celebrate Pride

Published

1 day ago

June 5, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

(Washington Blade file photo by Daniel Truitt)

Local queer journalists will celebrate Pride this weekend at the annual NLGJA-DC Pride Happy Hour event at Trade (1410 14th St., N.W.) on Saturday, June 6, 3-5 p.m. Admission is free.

Out & About

DC Front Runners Pride Run 5K set for Saturday

Annual event held at historic Congressional Cemetery

Published

1 day ago

June 5, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

The 14th annual DC Front Runners' Pride 5K run/walk is set for Saturday. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

The 14th annual DC Front Runners’ Pride 5K run/walk is set for Saturday, June 6 at historic Congressional Cemetery. The race starts and ends at the cemetery (1801 E St., S.E.) and passes through scenic D.C., along the Anacostia River trail and the fields at RFK campus. Registration ends Friday at 11:59 p.m.

Runners can pick up their race packets on Saturday from 7-8:30 a.m. at Congressional Cemetery; the race begins at 9 a.m.

The fee to run the 5K in person is $65 ($35 for those under age 20). Proceeds benefit local LGBTQ nonprofits, including Thrive DC, Wanda Alston Foundation, Blade Foundation, Ainsley’s Angels, SMYAL, and Team DC. Visit DCFrontRunners.org for more information.