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.
Local
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.
