Who Is Asad Malik, The Married CEO Accused of Kissing Employee at Justin Timberlake Concert?

August 2025 — Just month after the Coldplay Kiss Cam scandal shook the corporate world, another CEO has landed in controversy. Asad Malik, the married CEO of Amerilodge, has been accused of sexually harassing his female employee during a Justin Timberlake concert in February.

According to a lawsuit filed by 38-year-old former employee Stephanie Starling, Malik allegedly tried to kiss her during the show and later groped her, despite her repeated discomfort.

Allegations at the Justin Timberlake Concert

Starling claims Malik first made verbal advances, allegedly saying:
“I bet it would be a good kiss too. Probably later tonight.”

She said she laughed nervously, but Malik persisted, telling her he was “just looking at her lips”.

The lawsuit states that Malik later sat in the same booth and slid his hand under her thigh, touching her inappropriately.

Shaken and frightened, Starling fled to the bathroom, where she called her father in tears. Her supervisor and general manager overheard the call and assured her the incident would be reported.

Alleged Coercion After the Event

The lawsuit further claims that after the concert, Malik coerced Starling into his car under the pretense of wanting to talk. Instead, he allegedly drove her to a dark location and demanded a kiss.

When she refused, he grew angry. Starling insisted on being taken back to her hotel, even threatening to walk through the snow if necessary.

Workplace Fallout and HR’s Response

Back at work, Starling reported the incident to HR. However, she claims the company failed to take proper action. Instead, her company email was revoked, and she was pressured into handing over a resignation letter.

According to her, HR later ruled the case as “inconclusive” and offered her a settlement, which she described as “hush money”. She refused the payout.

Her lawyer, Jack Shulz, accused Amerilodge of protecting Malik rather than the victim, comparing it to the viral Astronomer CEO Andy Byron scandal caught on Coldplay’s Kiss Cam.

Company and CEO’s Response

Amerilodge spokesperson Chris Daly declined to comment, citing ongoing litigation. Malik has denied the allegations, and so far, no witnesses have corroborated Starling’s claims.

Why the Case Matters

The case raises questions about sexual harassment in the workplace, HR accountability, and the power imbalance between CEOs and employees. It comes at a time when corporate scandals involving high-profile executives are drawing increasing media and public scrutiny.