"Below Deck" Alum Sues Network for $633M Over Alleged Sexual Harassment A former cast member of the reality TV show "Below Deck" has filed an amended federal lawsuit against NBCUniversal, alleging sexual harassment and seeking $633 million in damages. Emile Kotze, 34, claims he was subjected to a hostile work environment during his time on the show, which aired in 2015. According to court documents obtained by Page Six, Kotze alleges the network’s producers created a “romantic entanglement” between him and co-star Raquel “Rocky” Dakota, while also exposing him to “sexual harassment, manipulation, and dangerous conditions.” Kotze’s lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of New York in October 2025, accuses NBCUniversal of failing to protect him from abuse, defaming him, and misappropriating his likeness. He also alleges the network engaged in a “cover-up and retaliation campaign” to silence him after he sought legal redress. The lawsuit further claims that Season 3 of the show was edited to falsely portray Kotze as “misogynistic” and “immature,” damaging his reputation. The former yachting professional asserts that his career was “destroyed” by the network’s actions, resulting in an estimated $123 million in lost future earnings. He also seeks compensation for medical and psychological treatment costs, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, as well as $10 million in compensatory damages. NBCUniversal has responded by filing a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that the claims are barred by the statute of limitations since the complaint was filed 10 years after the show’s original airing. The network also cited the First Amendment, stating that the government cannot dictate what content is published or spoken. A representative for NBCUniversal did not immediately comment on the matter.#below_deck #nbcuniversal #emile_kotze #raquel_rocky_dakota #season_3
