Chris D’Elia enthusiastically denies harassment accusation on the basis of women not working night shifts

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Comedian Chris D’Elia has mounted an unusual defense against recent sexual misconduct allegations, focusing his denial on what he describes as the implausible logistics of one particular accusation.

During a recent performance, D’Elia addressed allegations that he exposed himself to a hotel maintenance worker, expressing incredulity at the timing and circumstances described in the accusation. The comedian questioned the scenario in which he allegedly showed himself to someone who came to repair his air conditioning.

“Who in the world comes to fix the air conditioning at, by the way, 11:30 p.m.,” D’Elia said during his set. He repeatedly urged listeners to “think about that a little bit” regarding the late-night timing of the alleged incident.

The comedian then pivoted to what he presented as a key inconsistency in the accusation, questioning whether women typically work in such roles during nighttime hours. “Has a female ever worked the night shift? And then worked on air conditioning? Air conditioning maintenance at 11:30 p.m.,” he asked, suggesting the scenario was fabricated.

Instead, D’Elia painted a different picture of who might realistically arrive for late-night maintenance calls, referencing a hypothetical male worker named Ronaldo and joking about the awkwardness such a situation would create for a male maintenance worker.

These comments come as D’Elia faces multiple allegations of sexual misconduct from several women. Among the accusations is a claim from an anonymous hotel manager in Ohio who alleges that D’Elia called the front desk requesting air conditioning repair and appeared naked when she arrived at his room. The woman says she immediately left and refused D’Elia’s subsequent request for her to return.

D’Elia’s attorney Andrew Brettler has issued blanket denials of all allegations against his client. “D’Elia denies these allegations and emphatically states that he has never engaged in any sexual conduct with any woman without her consent,” Brettler stated.

The accusations against D’Elia extend beyond the hotel incident. Actress Megan Drust has alleged that the comedian exposed himself and began masturbating without consent after she offered him a ride home. Additionally, Laura Vitarelli claims D’Elia exposed himself to her and a friend in a hotel room in 2015.

These more recent allegations follow a wave of accusations that emerged on social media in June, when multiple unverified accounts accused D’Elia of inappropriate messaging with teenage girls and attempting to arrange meetings with underage fans after his shows.

Attorney Jay Ellwanger, who represents multiple women making complaints against D’Elia, has indicated that legal action may be forthcoming. “Our clients have a singular goal—to make sure this doesn’t happen to other women,” Ellwanger said, adding that all legal options are being considered.

The comedian has previously acknowledged that he may have “said and done things that might have offended people” during his career, while maintaining that all his relationships have been “legal and consensual.” He has also stated that he has “never knowingly pursued any underage women at any point.”