Warner Bros. has concluded its investigation into sexual assault allegations brought forth by a field producer on the set of Bachelor in Paradise Season 4. It was determined that no sexual assault took place between cast members DeMario Jackson and Corinne Olympios, and filming is back on track. But will DeMario return to Bachelor in Paradise? It's unclear as of yet.
On June 11, production on the upcoming season of Bachelor in Paradise was halted following a complaint made by two producers regarding an incident between Corinne and DeMario, which took place on June 4. After drinking heavily and making out at the bar on set at Playa Escondida, Corinne and DeMario apparently got into the pool, where their sexual contact reportedly escalated. According to TMZ sources, DeMario ended up performing oral sex on Corinne, and producers alleged sexual misconduct, questioning whether she was sober enough to give consent.
Unconfirmed reports claim that neither of the two producers were present at the time of the incident, nor did they view the footage firsthand before filing their complaints. They came forward, rather, based on second-hand accounts. Corinne quickly obtained legal counsel after the allegations were brought to light and released a statement, saying:
I am a victim and have spent the last week trying to make sense of what happened on June 4. Although I have little memory of that night, something bad obviously took place, which I understand is why production on the show has now been suspended and a producer on the show has filed a complaint against the production.
DeMario, meanwhile, denied any wrongdoing, and it looks like Warner Bros. sided with his version of events. After reviewing the footage and conducting cast and crew interviews with the help of an outside law firm, the production company concluded that no sexual assault took place, and that no contestant was ever in any danger at any time during the incident. They released a statement to People in full, stating:
As we previously stated, we recently became aware of allegations regarding an incident on the set of Bachelor in Paradise in Mexico. We take all such allegations seriously. The safety, security and well-being of the cast and crew is our number one concern, and we suspended filming so that the allegations could be investigated immediately and thoroughly. Our internal investigation, conducted with the assistance of an outside law firm, has now been completed. Out of respect for the privacy interests of those involved, we do not intend to release the videotape of the incident. We can say, however, that the tape does not support any charge of misconduct by a cast member. Nor does the tape show, contrary to many press reports, that the safety of any cast member was ever in jeopardy. Production on this season of Bachelor in Paradise will be resuming, and we plan to implement certain changes to the show’s policies and procedures to enhance and further ensure the safety and security of all participants.
But while the show is back up and running, neither Corinne nor DeMario have been confirmed to return. Obviously, it's highly doubtful that the incident in question will air, but Bachelor in Paradise is slated to premiere Aug. 8 as planned.
