Rolling Stone co-founder Jann Wenner accused of sexual assault by former employee

Jonathan Wells alleges that Wenner assaulted him at his Manhattan apartmnt in 1983.

December 31, 2017
<i>Rolling Stone</i> co-founder Jann Wenner accused of sexual assault by former employee Jann Wenner speaks onstage during the 30th Annual Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Hall on April 18, 2015 in Cleveland, Ohio.   Mike Coppola/Getty

Jann Wenner, co-founder and publisher of Rolling Stone, has been accused of sexual assault by a former member of staff at the magazine. Jonathan Wells told BuzzFeed that he was assaulted in 1983 after visiting Wenner at his Manhattan apartment. Wells alleges that Wenner held him down and forced him into giving and receiving oral sex. The full report can be read here. Wenner has denied the claim, telling BuzzFeed that the “relationship was totally mutual and consensual.”

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Wells took on the role as director of Rolling Stone Press, the media company's book publishing division, soon after the alleged assault. He says he remains unclear if Wenner “created [the job] specifically for him.” Wells says he was unexpectedly fired in 1985, having spent the previous two years declining invites to spend time with Wenner in private.

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Rolling Stone co-founder Jann Wenner accused of sexual assault by former employee