Below Deck Shocker! Gary King Lawsuit Escapes Arbitration! What Happens Now?!

Los Angeles – In a significant victory for a former "Below Deck" camera operator, a judge has ruled that NBCUniversal, Bravo Media, and Mountain View Productions cannot force arbitration in a lawsuit alleging Sexual Misconduct and a subsequent cover-up. The case, brought by Grey Duddleston, centers around accusations against cast member Gary King. This decision paves the way for the claims to be heard in a public court, a potentially impactful moment for reality television accountability.

Below Deck Shocker! Gary King Lawsuit Escapes Arbi...

Judge Wendy Chang of the Los Angeles Superior Court sided with Duddleston, citing the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021. This federal law, thankfully, provides a crucial safeguard, allowing survivors of sexual assault and harassment to bypass mandatory arbitration agreements and pursue justice through the court system. It's legislation like this that actually makes a difference.

The lawsuit, initially filed in March 2025 by both Duddleston and hair and makeup artist Samantha Suarez, accuses King – whom the suit describes rather pointedly as a "known drunkard and serial harasser" – of sexual battery, alongside allegations of retaliation, harassment, and negligent hiring, retention, and supervision on the part of the production companies. It paints a pretty ugly picture of the environment behind the scenes.

Suarez's specific claim details an incident during the filming of "Below Deck Sailing Yacht" Season 4 in the summer of 2022. She alleges that while delivering water and snacks to King's hotel room, he answered the door practically naked and then allegedly lunged at her, physically restraining her as she tried to leave. It's a disturbing account, to say the least.

This isn't the first time the "Below Deck" franchise has been embroiled in controversy regarding on-set behavior. In 2023, two crew members on "Below Deck Down Under" Season 2 were fired for what producers deemed non-consensual sexual advances. These incidents were even filmed and addressed on board by Captain Jason Chambers (though he wasn't the captain on the season in question here). It does raise questions about the overall culture and oversight on these shows.

Looking ahead, defense attorneys are set to argue for the dismissal of Suarez's claims at a hearing scheduled for April 28. Their argument hinges on the fact that Suarez is a Georgia resident and that the alleged incident occurred on the Mediterranean Sea, thousands of miles away. They’re claiming that allowing her to sue in California would essentially turn the state's court system into an "International Court of Justice," something they clearly view as undesirable “forum shopping.”

Interestingly, this isn't the only legal battle brewing. Back in February 2025, two other "Below Deck: Sailing Yacht" crew members also filed a lawsuit against King and the production companies, alleging similar claims of sexual battery, a hostile work environment, retaliation, and failure to prevent discrimination. It seems the legal waters surrounding this show are getting increasingly choppy.