Three months after two women in separate lawsuits accused Bikram Choudhury of rape, new allegations of rape, sexual harassment and racism have come up against the yoga mogul.
Choudhury, the founder of the now wildly trendy Bikram Yoga practice, is facing allegations of rape, sexual harassment, racism and homophobia from a former employee.
The most recent charges come from Minakshi Jaffa-Bodden, Choudhury’s former legal advisor, according to LAist.
Jaffa-Bodden claims she was aware of allegations of sexual assault when she attended a multi-day training conference. When she asked the yoga guru about them, she was told that it would be “best” to “not look into it any further.” Jaffa-Bodden claims she attempted to stand up for herself but Choudhury threatened to have her and her 8-year-old daughter deported.
She then claims that in March of 2013 Choudhury forced her to resign by physically threatening her to sign a resignation letter.
In her lawsuit Jaffa-Bodden claims Choudhury created a hostile work environment, which included sexism, homophobia, racism and threats of violence. According to the lawsuit, he referred to the female employees as “bitches” and would say things such as “these blacks just don’t get my yoga,” referring to African American students.
He also allegedly once said, “AIDS is caused by gays, it is the truth, but these f***ing a**hole guys love me, they love Bikram.”
Choudhury has yet to comment on Jaffa-Bodden’s allegations.
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