Gay Nightlife Promoter Michael J. Cohen Accused of Sexual Misconduct
New York City gay nightlife entrepreneur Michael J. Cohen is being accused of sexual misconduct by numerous young queer men, NBC News reported Thursday.These include “accusations that he groped or pressured men to have sex or send nude photos, as well as a claim of sexual assault,” according to NBC.
Nine people shared allegations with the network.Cohen opened the gay bar Motel 23 in Manhattan in 2020, and he has hosted parties at other nightclubs.
NBC began tracking allegations after an anonymous Instagram account regarding occurrences at Motel 23 went online in July.Accusers include Charles Battersby, who said Cohen repeatedly groped his genitals and buttocks, without consent, at parties Cohen hosted at Goldbar.
The instances began in 2015, when Battersby was 19, he said.Stephen Carlstrom, who was modeling while attending college, said that in 2017, Cohen offered him pay for attending parties, in exchange for oral sex.
