The LA Kings Fire Mascot Amid Sexual Harassment Allegations

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles Kings fired their longtimes mascot following allegations of secual harassment, the club announced Friday.

Tim Smith, the man who dressed up as "Bailey" the Kings' lion mascot, was accused by a member of the Kings' Ice Crew of sexually harassing her in a lawsuit filed in August. It was not the first lawsuit accused Smith of sexual harassment.

"Today the L.A. Kings terminated the employment of Tim Smith," according to a statement from the Kings. "We are not in a position to provide further details or comments on this matter due to pending litigation."

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In August, TMZ reported that a female former member of the Kings' Ice Crew had filed a lawsuit accusing Smith of harassing her with sexually charged comments and unwanted advances. She also claimed Smith, who oversaw the Ice Crew, fired her when she resisted his advances, TMZ reported.

The Kings issued a statement at the time that did not name Smith, but said the team "takes these allegations very seriously and, as an organization, we believe that everyone has the right to work in an environment free from any form of harassment or discrimination."

Smith was named in another lawsuit filed in 2017. A dishwasher at the Staples Center alleged the mascot groped his rear in an elevator. In that lawsuit, Maso Griffin claimed he was fired for complaining about Smith's behavior to the organization's human resources director, who was married to Smith.

City News Service contributed to this report.