Kings suspend mascot actor amid sexual harassment lawsuit

The Los Angeles Kings have suspended the employee who portrays their mascot, the team announced Friday in a statement obtained by the Los Angeles Times' Helene Elliott.

A female former member of the club's ice crew has filed a lawsuit alleging Tim Smith sexually harassed her, TMZ reported Thursday.

In addition to his role as Bailey, the Kings' lion mascot, Smith also serves as the team's senior manager of game presentation and events.

The Kings said Friday that Smith's suspension is effective immediately, pending the findings of an investigation by the club.

The woman who filed the lawsuit said Smith made inappropriate sexual comments and unwanted advances toward her, leered at her breasts and buttocks, and ultimately fired her, according to TMZ. She is not identified in the lawsuit, but she reportedly joined the ice crew in 2018.

She later returned to her position after a different club official begged her to come back and acknowledged Smith's behavior, according to TMZ. She claims Smith continued to harass her after she rejoined the team, leading her to permanently resign.

The woman is suing Smith, the Kings, and their parent company, Anschutz Entertainment Group. She is seeking over $1 million in damages.

Smith has worked for the team since 2007. A dishwasher sued Smith in 2017, claiming Smith grabbed his buttocks in a Staples Center elevator. That case was settled in 2018.