Miami's "Star Gazer" Accused of Child Sex Abuse

Lawsuit claims famous astronomer Jack Horkheimer allegedly sexually abused a runaway in 1975

By Todd Wright
|  Thursday, Jul 8, 2010  |  Updated 5:30 PM EDT
View Comments (
)
|
Email
|
Print
Miami's "Star Gazer" Accused of Child Sex Abuse

NASA

The most crowded collision of galaxy clusters has been identified by combining information from three different telescopes.

advertisement

Jack Horkheimer, host of popular PBS show "Star Gazer," is being sued in Miami court by a man who claims the astronomer sexually abused him 35 years ago.

The accuser, identified as John Doe in legal papers, alleges that Horkheimer took advantage of him after the then teen moved into Horkheimer's home in 1975. The 15-year old had run away from his home in North Carolina before being taken in by Horkheimer, who was 37 at the time, the lawsuit said.

Horkheimer repeatedly performed oral sex on the runaway for five weeks until the victim moved out and back onto the streets, the lawsuit claims.

"Star Gazer," a five-minute weekly astronomy show, went on the air in 1976.

Horkheimer has been living "a double-life as a TV personality and a sexual predator," according to Adam Horowitz, the victim's attorney.

The alleged victim is now 51 and lives in Miami.

Horkheimer lives "a double-life as a TV personality and a sexual predator." Doe is represented by Miami attorney Adam Horowitz.

Horkheimer, 72, still appears on "Star Gazer," which is nationally syndicated and was once shot at the Miami Space Transit Planetarium.

Posted Jul 8, 2010
Leave Comments
What's New
Get Our New iPad App
Now optimized for iPad, NBC Miami connects you to the top local stories, latest breaking news and real-time weather and traffic.
Follow Us
Sign up to receive news and updates that matter to you.
Send Us Your Story Tips
Check Out