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A sailor who claims John Travolta sexually assaulted him on a cruise ship has won his fight to have his case heard in court.
The Saturday Night Fever star's legal team had tried to prevent it being heard on the grounds his ticket included an agreement to settle all disputes between a passenger and the cruise line in arbitration.
However a federal judge dismissed the motion, saying there is no evidence Fabian Zanzi is bound by the arbitration agreement between Travolta and Royal Caribbean International.
Taking action: John Travolta's attorney filed documents on Friday requesting a lawsuit against the star be dismissed
According to TMZ, this means the legal fight could go to trial unless a settlement is reached.
This is common in cases where one side wants to avoid a public trial, and this decision effectively drives up the price of any potential out of court agreement.
Travolta's attorney Marty Singer previously filed court documents requested the lawsuit by former Royal Caribbean employee Fabian Zanzi be dismissed and that he be forced to pay for legal fees.
In the papers the Get Shorty favourite admitted to being on the 2009 cruise, but denied all claims of misconduct.
As Mail Online previously reported, Zanzi made his shocking claims in May, alleging the incident occurred when he worked as a room service operator for Royal Caribbean International in 2009 and made a delivery to the actor's stateroom.
He was among a steady stream of men to step forward last year with accusations against the star including three masseurs and a gym employee.
The accuser: Former Royal Caribbean employee Fabian Zanzi went public with his accusations last May
Zanzi claimed the Saturday Night Fever favourite asked for a neck massage, and that when he reached over to comply the 58-year-old actor dropped his robe and exposed his erect penis.
The Chilean-born worker, who is suing for unspecified damages, says he resisted, and then Travolta offered him $12k to keep silent.
It emerged Zanzi he never mentioned many of the details when he went to cruise ship management to complain, and he now claims they refused to allow him to write any details regarding nudity or sexual contact.
And Mr Travolta's lawyer Marty Singer drew attention to this in a strongly worded statement.
He said: 'This is another ludicrous lawsuit with inane claims. It is obvious that Mr. Zanzi and his lawyers are looking for their 15 minutes of fame.
'The lawsuit’s ridiculous claims are completely contradicted by what Mr. Zanzi told his employer back in 2009 when he was being disciplined for his own violations of company policy.
'In his handwritten report three years ago, the only physical contact he claimed occurred was allegedly touching my client’s neck.
'The inappropriate conduct he alleges in his lawsuit is absent from his written report he submitted at the time. That glaring omission speaks volumes.
Brushing off the allegations: Travolta and wife Kelly Preston put on a brave face on the red carpet in Los Angeles last June
'Also calling his credibility into question is his dubious allegation that his employer supposedly restrained him in a room on the cruise ship for five days, yet after that supposedly occurred, Mr. Zanzi continued to work for Royal Caribbean for years, on multiple ships.
'Now, after waiting three years, and after getting paid to tell his story to the media, Mr. Zanzi has filed this absurd lawsuit.
'We are confident that my client will prevail on the merits and that he will be completely vindicated in court.'
Mr Singer was referring to an employee discipline form where it is stated Fabian Zanzi admitted to superiors at Royal Caribbean International he rubbed the Look Who's Talking star's neck, but turned down his request that he return later.
Culled from The Daily Mail UK.
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