"Paula Abdul Files Lawsuit Against Nigel Lythgoe for Sexual Assault Allegations"

Paula Abdul has filed a lawsuit against Nigel Lythgoe, a producer of "American Idol" and "So You Think You Can Dance," alleging multiple instances of sexual assault and harassment. Abdul claims Lythgoe assaulted her in a hotel elevator and at his home, and she also witnessed him assaulting her assistant. She cites fear of retaliation as the reason for her previous silence. The lawsuit includes the production companies of the shows as defendants and is filed under a California act that allows claims outside the statute of limitations.