The actress, now 39, filed a civil negligence lawsuit against The Walt Disney Company in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Friday, Aug. 21
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NEED TO KNOW
- Former child star Raquel Lee Bolleau alleges she was repeatedly sexually assaulted by a Disney employee while filming 2001’s The Poof Point at age 14
- Bolleau claims Disney failed to protect her or investigate warning signs of the abuse, and instead blamed her for changes in her behavior and performance at the time
- She is suing The Walt Disney Company for damages related to alleged economic losses and emotional distress, along with punitive damages and legal costs
Former child star Raquel Lee Bolleau (née Raquel Lee) has come forward with allegations that she was sexually assaulted by a now-former Disney employee while filming a Disney Channel original movie in 2001.
Bolleau, 39, filed the civil negligence lawsuit against The Walt Disney Company in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Friday, Aug. 21.
In the complaint, which was obtained by PEOPLE, Bolleau alleges that she was repeatedly sexually assaulted by an unnamed, middle-aged male Disney employee while filming the Disney Channel movie The Poof Point at age 14.
She claims the employee supplied her with alcohol and assaulted her multiple times while the cast and crew were staying in Salt Lake City, as well as during a flight back to California.
The Amanda Show actress further alleges that Disney failed to protect her despite signs that something was wrong.
According to the complaint, Disney personnel instructed her to “bond” and spend time with the unnamed employee, while the production allegedly separated her from her guardian and failed to provide appropriate supervision.
Bolleau alleges that the employee “would torment” her while on set, whispering comments like “last night was so good” in plain view of other adults. She claims that “no one at Disney intervened.”
Credit: JC Olivera/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty
Bolleau also claims that adults working on the production noticed dramatic changes in her behavior and performance once the alleged abuse began — including that she appeared sick and intoxicated. She alleges this was “a stark difference from the dedicated, studious and diligent child actress who had joined the movie.”
However, Bolleau claims Disney failed to investigate.
Instead, she alleges Disney executives blamed her for her deteriorating performance, described her as “out of control,” and canceled another planned role.
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Bolleau is now seeking damages for alleged economic losses and emotional distress, as well as punitive damages, attorneys’ fees and other costs, though the complaint does not specify a total amount of damages sought.
In a statement to PEOPLE, Bolleau’s attorneys, Douglas Wigdor and Jane Kim, said, “Over the last decade, countless child actors have come forward to bravely share their experiences of abuse by adults in entertainment. As former government prosecutors, our message to the entertainment industry is simple: This conduct is inexcusable, and those involved — directly or indirectly — must be held accountable.”
Disney did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
After filming The Poof Point, Bolleau went on to do a recurring voiceover role in the Disney Channel animated series The Proud Family, which aired from 2001 to 2005. She returned for the Disney+ revival The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, which aired from 2022 to 2025.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.
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