A lawsuit filed in Suffolk County, New York, claims that CNN host Don Lemon inflicted "emotional pain and suffering" on a man during a July 2018 incident.

(New York Post)

The lawsuit details last summer's incident by alleging that after placing his hands down his own pants and "vigorously rubbing his genitalia," Lemon "intensely pushed his fingers against Plaintiff’s face under Plaintiff’s nose, forcing Plaintiff’s head to thrust backward." He allegedly further harassed the man, Dustin Hice, with aggressive sexual questions.

A statement issued by CNN denies the claims and says Hice had a history of antagonizing CNN and its employees on social media. "The plaintiff in this lawsuit has previously displayed a pattern of contempt for CNN on his social media accounts,” a representative for CNN said to Mediaite. “This claim follows his unsuccessful threats and demands for an exorbitant amount of money from Don Lemon. Don categorically denies these claims and this matter does not merit any further comment at this time."

New York law firm Nesenoff & Miltenberg, which is representing Hice, claims its client suffered "feelings of shame, humiliation, anxiety, anger, and guilt." They are seeking unspecified damages from Lemon.

"When the cameras are turned off … Mr. Lemon’s actions are in stark and disturbing contrast to the public persona he attempts to portray," reads the suit.

The story comes a day after CNN host Chris Cuomo used threatening language against a Trump supporter who called him "Fredo" at a New York bar. Cuomo, who was with his family, became angry and suggested to the man, "I'll f--king ruin your shit," further threatening the man that he would "f--king throw you down these stairs like a f--king punk."

Read the complaint below: