A former Royal Caribbean cruise room attendant accuses John Travolta in a federal lawsuit of stripping off a robe and pushing against him, then offering him $12,000 to keep quiet.
Fabian Zanzi alleges the actor said, "Take me, I will take care of you, please," during a food delivery to his cabin in June 2009, according to the U.S. District Court lawsuit filed June 21 in Los Angeles.
Zanzi, who first made these allegations to the Spanish-language news outlet 24 Horas, is seeking unspecified damages for assault and battery and emotional distress.
This is the latest legal action against Travolta filed by a man alleging improper sexual conduct. Travolta's attorney has fiercely denied all the allegations.
"This is another ludicrous lawsuit with inane claims," says Travolta's lawyer, Marty Singer. "It is obvious that Mr. Zanzi and his lawyers are looking for their 15 minutes of fame."
Singer says that Zanzi didn't mention any sexual contact in his handwritten report to Royal Caribbean. "That glaring omission speaks volumes," says Singer.
Zanzi claims he reported the incident immediately to a supervisor but that he wasn't allowed "to write down any information regarding the nudity and/or sexual contact," according to the lawsuit.
Zanzi was also "restrained" to a "segregated room" for five days until Travolta left the ship, according to the lawsuit.
Singer calls this last claim a "dubious allegation" and notes that Zanzi continued to work for Royal Caribbean for years.
The company says in a statement: "In June 2009, Mr. Zanzi was working as a Room Service Phone Operator onboard Enchantment of the Seas. Mr. Zanzi was not fired by Royal Caribbean, but rather resigned on May 18, 2011."
By Mike Fleeman, People. Additional reporting by Ken Lee
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