Former 'Idol' Contestant Faces Sexual Harrassment Lawsuit

March 13, 2007 — -- Sex, songs and "American Idol." That seems to be the theme of Fox's hit talent show this month.

First it was some racy online pictures of former "Idol" contestant Antonella Barba. Now it's a sexual harassment lawsuit.

According to the Web site TMZ.com, former "Idol" finalist Mario Vazquez faces accusations that he tried to masturbate in front of a male employee in a bathroom on the set of the show in February 2005.

Shortly after the incident, Vazquez dropped out of "Idol," saying it was for personal reasons.

According to the lawsuit obtained by TMZ, Vazquez allegedly sexually harassed Magdaleno Olmos, an assistant accountant at the time for Fremantle Media, the company that produces the show.

In the lawsuit, Olmos says the incident started when Vazquez "stared lasciviously, smiled lasciviously … and on one occasion followed him into a bathroom."

The lawsuit alleges Vazquez "started to rub his genitals over his pants." It also says Olmos opened the stall door and saw Vazquez standing in front of him with his pants down, masturbating.

The document says Vazquez pushed Olmos "further into the stall and continued masturbating with one hand while trying to pull down Olmos' pants with another hand."

Olmos says Vazquez touched his chest and stomach underneath his shirt, and touched his genitals as Vazquez "attempted to unzip" Olmos' pants. Vazquez then allegedly asked Olmos whether he wanted oral sex.

In the lawsuit, Olmos says that as he "managed to get out of the stall, and attempted to leave the bathroom," Vazquez grabbed his arm to stop him and continued to call Olmos to come back as Vazquez stayed in the bathroom with his pants down.

Olmos also says in the lawsuit that he tried to report the incident to a superior named Eric LaPointe, who allegedly responded by telling Olmos that he was "crazy" and repeatedly threatening to fire him. A few months later, Olmos says, he was terminated.

In addition to suing Vazquez, Olmos has named Fox Entertainment and Fremantle Media as defendants in his lawsuit for wrongful termination.

Representatives from Fox told TMZ, "We haven't been served, but we wouldn't comment on pending litigation."