D.A. Kisses Gene Simmons Goodbye

KISS frontman still a target of civil suit but criminally in the clear for run-in with couple at an L.A. mall

Gene Simmons isn't much of a Destroyer as far as Los Angeles prosecutors are concerned.

The KISS bassist will not face charges in connection with a run-in with a couple at the Grove shopping center in L.A., in which the duo claimed that Simmons grabbed their video camera and threatened them after they innocently asked the self-proclaimed Casanova whether he believed in monogamy.

Simmons' attorney, Barry Mallen, called the decision "completely expected."

Considering no witnesses came forward and the incident was not caught by security cameras, the L.A. County District Attorneys Office stated in documents filed Wednesday that charges of robbery, making threats, petty theft and vandalism could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

Simmons told investigators that he indeed took and later destroyed the couple's camera, but would replace it if they provided a receipt. When they approached him, he was with his daughter, he said, and feared for her safety.

But the D.A.'s move hasn't saved Simmons from a severe tongue-lashing at the hands of the scorned couple.

Cynthia Manzo, who claimed Simmons grabbed her by the throat and said, "I am going to f--king kill you," and her husband Nathan Marlowe, who told police Simmons threatened him by saying, "I will end you," sued the Gene Simmons Family Jewels patriarch in December.

Alleging assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress, Manzo and Marlowe claimed that their encounter with Simmons messed with their sex life and Marlowe has been unable to continue his work as a tattoo artist. They want upward of $25,000 in damages.

Meanwhile, Simmons has been countersued by an ESPN makeup artist who claims he grabbed and "humped" her, while in full KISS regalia, when he was at their L.A. studio for a guest appearance on SportsCenter in November.

In response to a letter from Victoria Jackson's attorney, in which they threatened to sue for "the outrageous sum of $185,000," the rocker filed a preemptive complaint on May 14 seeking a judicial declaration that no such assault occurred.

Jackson states in her lawsuit that she told Simmons, "Ouch, you're hurting me," because his spiked breast plate was poking her in the face, but that he replied, "No, not yet," when she tried to push him away.

Calling the incident "degrading, shocking and humiliating," Jackson is suing for sexual assault and sexual battery. She says she has suffered "humiliation, shame, embarrassment, anger, anxiety and loss of sleep" due to Simmons' "vile and inexcusable" conduct.

A spokesman for Simmons issued this response:  

"As is reflected in the lawsuit filed by Gene Simmons last week against Victoria Jackson, Mr. Simmons categorically denies Ms. Jackson's outrageous allegations and her efforts to seek compensation from him for nonexistent injuries. Mr. Simmons intends to defend himself aggressively and looks forward to refuting Ms. Jackson's charges in the courtroom."