Tucson TV producer alleges sexual harassment against Barkley, Rockets

Elizabeth Anderson, a producer at a Christian TV channel, said Barkley removed his towel during a locker-room interview and began to "wipe his private parts" in front of her, according to University of Arizona Police Department reports.

Anderson named Barkley as well as his team, the Houston Rockets, in the suit filed Oct. 22 in United States District Court.

"We have been served with a lawsuit and Charles has been served with a lawsuit," said Tim Frank, Rockets' communications manager. "There is not a lot more I can say at this point."

Barkley's agent, Glenn Guthrie, was unavailable for comment yesterday.

Anderson, a reporter and producer for the Christian Power, Health, Prosperity and Soul Channel, said yesterday she is suing Barkley and the Rockets for her legal costs and for "all the publicity I'm getting."

According to a court brief, Anderson's initial sexual harassment case is pending dismissal, but she said she is planning to refile the case with the proper legal code for her charges.

"I have to give him (the judge) the right jurisdiction code," she said.

She is reportedly still looking for witnesses to the incident and told police she did not think others were in the locker room at the time.

Anderson, who said she's still seeking legal counsel, filed an incident report with university police Wednesday. She told officers she waited so long because she was in shock and was unsure of what to do.

According to police reports, Anderson was covering the game and had gone to the locker room area to interview players about their "Christian beliefs."

Anderson reportedly waited in the hallway outside the locker room because some players were not fully dressed and she felt uncomfortable, she said.

After speaking with Rockets' center Hakeem Olajuwon, Anderson was told by a security officer that Barkley would speak to her. She had asked to speak with Barkley after he was fully dressed, police reports stated.

Anderson reportedly went in the locker room Barkley was still wearing a towel around his waist and she decided to interview him anyway, police reports stated.

She introduced herself and the two began to speak about their Christian beliefs, police reports stated.

Anderson told officers Barkley removed his towel, exposed himself in front of her and then turned and bent over, exposing his buttocks, police reports stated. Anderson reportedly told officers she was shocked after the exposure.

According to reports Barkley continued to speak to Anderson about his Christian beliefs.

Anderson told him, "Charles, you need prayer," before she left the locker room, police reports stated.

The case has been turned over to the Pima County Prosecutors office to determine if criminal charges should be filed.