Lewandowski Accused of Sex Assault for 'Demeaning' Slaps

Singer and Trump supporter Joy Villa says ex-Trump aide hit her on buttocks twice
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Dec 27, 2017 5:51 AM CST
Complaint Filed vs. Ex-Trump Aide for 'Demeaning' Butt Slaps
In this Nov. 9, 2017, file photo, Corey Lewandowski, the former campaign manager for President Trump, speaks during an event in Manchester, NH.   (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm, File)

A singer and potential congressional candidate says she has filed a sexual assault complaint against President Trump's ex-campaign manager for hitting her twice on her buttocks during a DC gathering in November. Joy Villa, a Trump backer who wore a "Make America Great Again" dress at the Grammys this year, said Tuesday she plans to meet with detectives in Washington next week about the complaint against Corey Lewandowski, the AP reports. In a phone interview from Tampa, Fla., Villa said she was initially reluctant to come forward because she was worried about any backlash. But she said she called Washington's Metropolitan Police Department on Christmas Eve after a friend who witnessed the incident spoke about it publicly and other friends urged her to come forward. "I didn't know him at all," Villa said about Lewandowski. "I only knew him by reputation. He broke my trust."

Villa said she saw Lewandowski at a Trump International Hotel gathering on the day after Thanksgiving and that he struck her "extremely hard" even after she told him to stop—a "disgusting and shocking and demeaning" action. She said, "I was initially fearful to come forward with this," adding she didn't want to embarrass Lewandowski's family or her own. "I realized if he's not going to respond or apologize to me, I think it's the right thing to do." This isn't the first time Lewandowski has faced police charges. In March 2016, he was charged with misdemeanor battery for an altercation involving a female reporter after a news conference in Florida; the charges were later dropped. Trump fired him as campaign manager in June 2016. Lewandowski didn't respond to an email seeking comment.

(More Corey Lewandowski stories.)

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