Gay BBQ King Denies Sexual Harassment Charges

Three former employees have some hot beef with Gregory A. Moore, the owner of North Carolina’s wildly successful Smithfield’s Chicken ‘n Bar-B-Q chain.

Jason C. Hallaman, Donald R. Mayes and Randy Martin all allege that Moore, who divorced his wife in 2002 and claims to be both bisexual and gay, sexually harassed them.

Though Mayes settled his suit, Hallaman testified yesterday and regaled the court with Moore’s alleged advances.

From Raleigh’s WRAL:

“I was mortified and angry and upset,’” Hallaman testified. “(I told him) ‘I’m not gay and you can’t make me gay, and I’m not playing this game.’”

He said he drove Moore to the executive’s beach house and lake house several times that summer, and Moore once climbed in the shower with him and another time came into his room and sat down on his bed.

“He’s just running his hand up my leg, and I’m telling him that’s not a good idea and I’m pushing his hand away. He said, ‘I don’t want to try to get fresh. I just want some company,’” Hallaman testified.”

Hallaman quit soon after. Martin, meanwhile, just filed his lawsuit last month. Perhaps he’s trying to get on the litigious bandwagon?

And, in case you were wondering, Moore denies all of the charges.