‘That ’70s’ star denies rapes
LA cops are looking into allegations that actor Danny Masterson raped three women, according to a report.
The LAPD confirmed the investigation to Page Six, saying the women “have come forward and disclosed that they were sexually assaulted by Masterson during the early 2000s.” Underground Bunker blogger Tony Ortega wrote that all three were Scientologists at the time. Masterson is a practicing Scientologist. Ortega reports that the first woman only came forward to former member Leah Remini after the actress’ A&E series “Scientology and the Aftermath” began airing.
The alleged victim, who was in a relationship with the “That ’70s Show” star, claimed he raped her more than 15 years ago, Ortega wrote. Ortega posted a police report showing a second alleged victim came forward in the early 2000s. A third’s claims are also being investigated, LAPD told us.
The Post’s Bryan Hood reports that Masterson vigorously denied the report through his rep, who said, “We are aware of [the alleged victim’s old] allegations. It was only after [the alleged victim] was in contact with Leah Remini that she made allegations of sexual assault by Mr. Masterson.” (Page Six redacted the alleged victim’s name.) Masterson claims the accuser continued to date him after the alleged incident, and also accused her of erratic behavior. “In fact, we are informed by the Church that the only demand [the alleged victim] made of the Church after Danny broke up with her was asking for their help to intervene so the breakup would not be permanent,” the statement said. “We are aware also that approximately 14 years ago a woman referred to in the blog made allegations of sexual assault and that the LAPD interviewed numerous witnesses and determined the claim had no merit.”
The rep added, “Based on reading the anti-Scientology blog that posted this story, these false allegations appear to be motivated to boost [Remini’s] anti-Scientology [TV series] since [the alleged victim] only came forward after connecting with Leah Remini.” Reps for Remini and Scientology didn’t immediately respond.