Carroll Shelby accused of sexual assault by former receptionist

TMZ is reporting tonight that automotive legend Carroll Shelby has been accused of sexual assault by a former receptionist. Angelica Smith, who reportedly began working for Shelby back in 2005, filed her lawsuit in L.A. County Superior Court earlier today. In it she claims that Shelby ran a "pervasively hostile work environment" and that "Shelby himself sexually battered [Smith] by groping her." Smith also claims that another employee of Shelby's had drugged and raped her at his house in December 2010, and that he did not take any action when she reported the incident to him. The lawsuit names Shelby himself, his companies and the accused rapist, with damages in excess of $5 million.

None of us here at Autoblog know Shelby on a personal level, but we've met the man on more than a few occasions and have always been charmed by his natural charisma, genuine love of cars and friendly nature. Hopefully the truth is reached in this case and it's not as bad a picture as these allegations paint.