Darius Jeremy "DJ" Pierce, better known as Shangela, is being sued by former production assistant, Daniel McGarrigle, for sexual assault, sexual harassment, gender violence, false imprisonment, negligence and violation of the Ralph Act
Darius Jeremy "DJ" Pierce, better known as RuPaul's Drag Race star Shangela, is speaking out after he was accused of raping a former production assistant, who appeared alongside the performer on HBO's We're Here.
In court documents obtained by PEOPLE, Daniel McGarrigle is seeking unspecified damages for sexual assault, sexual harassment, gender violence, false imprisonment and negligence.
McGarrigle, 39, is also accusing Pierce, 42, of violating the Ralph Act, which forbids hate violence as well as intimidation by threats of violence under California law.
In an exclusive statement to PEOPLE, Pierce says of the accusations: "I can't begin to explain how hurt and disgusted I am by these totally untrue allegations. They are personally offensive and perpetuate damaging stereotypes that are harmful not only to me but also to my entire community. An external investigation into this embittered individual's claims previously concluded that they were completely without merit. This newest filing is nothing but an attempt to shake down both me and a well-regarded television company. No one should be fooled: it has no basis in fact or in law, and it will not succeed."
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