Lori Beth Denberg has hit out at Dan Schneider, claiming that he showed her adult content and attempted to initiate phone sex with her.
Denberg, known for her role on the hit show All That, has stepped forward with the allegations against Schneider, the former producer of various popular children's programs.
Denberg's claims, detailed in an interview with Business Insider, shed further light on the dark side of the entertainment industry.
Denberg, now 48, alleges that the abuse began when she was just 19 years old, around her birthday in 1995. At that time, Schneider, who was the head writer of All That, allegedly summoned her for a meeting where he showed her explicit material on his computer.
According to Denberg, the content escalated to disturbing levels, including a video depicting bestiality. "I feel like that is the first time he preyed on me," she claimed.
The actress further alleges a pattern of abusive behavior from Schneider, including playing adult material for her and initiating inappropriate sexual encounters.
Denberg describes their relationship as a "weird, abusive friendship," which turned sexual when she was around 19 years old.
Denberg recounts instances where Schneider allegedly made inappropriate comments about her body and engaged in coercive behavior, such as initiating sexual acts after a bet made during a game of Jeopardy!.
While Denberg admits she didn't initially recognize the behavior as inappropriate, she later realized the power dynamics at play. "I couldn't have been more green. I couldn't have been more vulnerable," she said.
In response to Denberg's allegations, Schneider issued a statement to PEOPLE denying the accusations, stating that they are "wildly exaggerated and, in most cases, false."
He also questioned the timing of Denberg's claims, suggesting a connection to his defamation lawsuit against the producers of Quiet on Set, a documentary series that brought to light allegations of abuse in the entertainment industry.
Denberg's decision to speak out comes in the wake of increasing attention on allegations of abuse within the entertainment industry.
In regards to the ongoing defamation lawsuit, Schneider's complaint, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, argues that the portrayal of him in Quiet on Set amounts to a "hit job," falsely implying that he was involved in the sexual abuse of children on his shows.
"While it is indisputable that two bona fide child sexual abusers worked on Nickelodeon shows, it is likewise indisputable that Schneider had no knowledge of their abuse," the complaint states, as reported by USA TODAY.
Schneider emphasized his condemnation of any abuse and stated that he was not complicit in any wrongdoing. He expressed disappointment with the documentary, accusing it of misleading viewers and damaging his reputation.
"In their successful attempt to mislead viewers and increase ratings, they went beyond reporting the truth and falsely implied that I was involved in or facilitated horrific crimes for which actual child predators have been prosecuted and convicted," Schneider said.
He continued: "I owe it to myself, my family, and the many wonderful people involved in making these shows to set the record straight."
