Two California comedians accused of sexual assault as two women share horrific claims

Two high-profile California comedians have been accused of sexual assault by two women.Jay Rich, whose legal name is Justin Richardson, stands accused of drugging and sexually assaulting a fellow comic in his vehicle in 2018.Meanwhile, LA-based stand-up Dauood Naimyar faces claims from a former high school classmate that he raped her twice more than 15 years ago while she was intoxicated.The biggest news, opinion and culture shaping California right now.

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Never miss a story Both men now face widespread cancellations as comedy venues, bookers and festivals nationwide cut ties over the claims.Both performers have vehemently denied the claims, which first surfaced on social media before the accusers detailed their alleged experiences to the San Francisco Chronicle.The two women, who do not know one another, said national headlines about a sexual assault lawsuit filed by a former Cornell University student inspired them to break their silence.Local comic Chelsea Bearce, 45, claimed Richardson attacked her inside his vehicle in March 2018. Bearce said she met Richardson at an Oakland dive bar to network, but suffered rapid blackouts and lost motor function after less than one cocktail, leading her to suspect her drink was spiked.Bearce claimed she came to in the passenger seat of Richardson’s car, paralyzed and unable to stop him from forcing her to perform oral sex.“I remember at one point saying, ‘No,’ and trying to push, but I had no strength in my arms,” Bearce told the Chronicle.

“My arms wouldn’t work.”Bearce said she suppressed the trauma for years, but running into Richardson while competing on the local circuit this fall brought the memories rushing back.“It took me a while to really put together what happened,” Bearce said.Referencing the recent Cornell University case where a student acc...