Paul Oakenfold accused of sexual harassment by former assistant

Content warning: This article contains information relating to sexual harassment.

Paul Oakenfold has been accused of sexual harassment in a lawsuit filed by his former personal assistant, Deadline reports. 

A lawsuit was filed on 2nd June at the Los Angeles Superior Court by a 24 year-old woman, who was a former employee of New Frequency Management, the company that manages  Oakenfold. The woman, who is identified as Jane Roe, is suing the longstanding UK DJ, two companies run by Paul Stepanek, New Frequency Management and Paul Stepanek Management, and a number of other unnamed people, for damages relating to violation of employment rights and alleged sexual harassment.

According to the suit, Jane Roe was assigned to be Oakenfold’s personal assistant shortly after she took a job at the management company in October 2022, while she was 23 years-old. Oakenfold reportedly exposed himself and masturbated in front of her on numerous occasions, including on the first day of their working together while they were alone in his home. On one date, in November 2022, Oakenfold is alleged to have done so four times in one day. He is also reported to have done so once in the passenger seat of her car. The full court filing can be read here. 

The woman reported the incidents to New Frequency Management CEO Paul Stepanek, and was allegedly asked to sign a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) as a result. She was, allegedly, prevented from returning to work until she eventually signed the NDA “under duress”. After returning to work she was not assigned to work with Oakenfold, and allegedly had her hours “dramatically reduced”. Her employment ended in March 2023, with the citation given being “lack of work”. 

Jane Roe is suing for wrongful termination, retaliation, harassment and failure to prevent harassment.

DJ Mag has approached representatives for Paul Oakenfold for comment.

If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this article, the following organisations may be able to provide help and advice:

In the UK 

Victim Support

Provides help and information for anyone who has been affected by a crime, including a violent or sexual assault, or is wary about involving the police.

Helpline: 0845 30 30 900 (Seven days a week)

Website: www.victimsupport.org

The Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre

Support and information for women and girls who have been raped or sexually abused, however long ago and whatever the circumstances.

Helpline: 0845 1221 331 (Seven days a week)

Website: www.rapecrisis.org.uk

In North America

RAINN

RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization

The National Sexual Assault Hotline (24 hours, seven days a week):800.656.HOPE (4673), online.rainn.org, rainn.org/es

Website: https://www.rainn.org/

National Sexual Violence Resource Center

The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) is the leading nonprofit in providing information and tools to prevent and respond to sexual violence. 

Directory of organizations: https://www.nsvrc.org/organizations

Website: https://www.nsvrc.org/