Paula Abdul Sues American Idol, SYTYCD Executive Producer Nigel Lythgoe for Alleged Sexual Assault

Paula Abdul accuses Nigel Lythgoe of multiple counts of sexual assault in a new lawsuit.

A lawsuit filed by an ex American Idol and So you think you can dance A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge on Friday alleged that Lythgoe, who was an executive producer on both shows, sexually assaulted Abdul on two occasions — once during the show’s early seasons. Idol and once during her tenure at SYTYCD. She also accused him of sexually abusing her assistant.

Abdul is suing the defendants in the lawsuit for sexual assault/assault, sexual harassment, gender-based violence and negligence. The lawsuit was filed under the Sexual Assault and Concealment Act, which allows civil sexual assault lawsuits to be filed even if the statute of limitations has expired.

The lawsuit names Lythgoe, 19 Entertainment Inc., FremantleMedia North America Inc., American Idol Productions Inc. and Dance Nation Productions Inc. as accused.

Company representatives Lythgoe, Abdul, 19 Entertainment Inc. and FremantleMedia North America Inc. did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment. American Idol Productions Inc. is detailed in the lawsuit as a subsidiary of Fremantle, while Dance Nation Productions Inc. detailed in the lawsuit as a subsidiary of 19 Entertainment Inc.

Paula Abdul on the set of ‘American Ido’l’ with fellow judges. Nigel Lythgoe is standing on the left.

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According to documents obtained by PEOPLE, the first incident allegedly occurred in the early 2000s, when Grammy winner Abdul, 60, and Lythgoe, 74, were working on Idol.

The lawsuit alleges that Lythgoe sexually assaulted Abdul, who was a judge on the show between 2002 and 2009, “while en route to a regional audition” during one of Idolfirst season.

The lawsuit alleges that upon entering the elevator, “Lythgoe pushed Abdul against the wall, then grabbed her genitals and breasts and began shoving his tongue down her throat.”

“Abdul tried to push Lythgoe away from her and let him know that his behavior was not acceptable,” the document added.

After the alleged assault, a tearful Abdul called one of her representatives and informed them of what she said had happened, the lawsuit states. However, she decided not to take any action “for fear that Lythgoe would fire her American Idol.”

Abdul also claims that she was “discriminated in terms of compensation and benefits compared to one of the show’s male judges and the host”, and that she was the victim of “constant ridicule, bullying, humiliation and harassment”, during her time on the show.

Nigel Lythgoe and Paula Abdul on the set of ‘So You Think You Can Dance’.

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The second attack allegedly occurred, according to the lawsuit, in 2015, when Abdul was a judge at SYTYCD.

During a dinner party at Lythgoe’s home, which the singer attended “believing it to be a professional invitation,” Lythgoe allegedly “pounced on Abdul while she was sitting on his couch and tried to kiss her, announcing that the two would make a great ‘power couple,’ ” by suit.

Abdul, the document states, “pushed Lythgoe away from her, explaining that she was not interested in his pursuits,” and then left his property.

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The lawsuit also details an alleged assault Abdul witnessed by Lythgoe against the “Straight Up” singer’s assistant, identified in the documents as April. The incident allegedly took place in April 2015.

“One evening, Lythgoe approached Abdul and April from behind, pressed himself against April and began groping her. April did not agree,” the lawsuit states.

Paula Abdul, Nigel Lythgoe arrive at Goldie Hawn Hosts Annual Goldie’s Love In For Kids at Ron Burkle’s Green Acres Estate on May 6, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California.

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Earlier this year, Abdul spoke exclusively to PEOPLE about turning 60 on June 19 and discussed “changing trajectory” in her life and career for her new decade.

“Turning 60 last year was such an incredible change of trajectory for me, I really wanted to build and leave a legacy behind,” Abdul said.

“That kindness and support and helping others who can’t stand up for themselves, learning how to fight bullies, having the self-confidence that you can do anything you want,” she added. “Talent is only half of it. It’s perseverance, persistence and undying faith in yourself.”

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