March 6 (UPI) — Danny Masterson is under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department over allegations that he sexually assaulted three women.
“The Los Angeles Police Department Robbery Homicide Division, Sexual Assault Section, is conducting an investigation involving the actor Danny Masterson. Three women have come forward and disclosed that they were sexually assaulted by Masterson during the early 2000s,” the LAPD said in a statement.
Reports of the allegations first appeared on website The Underground Bunker which investigates the inner workings of the Church of Scientology of which Masterson is a member.
Masterson’s PR rep Jenni Weinman also released a statement denying any wrongdoing and noting that one of the women who previously dated the actor only came forward with her “16-year-old allegations” after she was “in contact with Leah Remini.”
Remini, a former member of the Church of Scientology, now hosts A&E’s “Leah Remini: Scientology And The Aftermath” where she has claimed that the church will go to great lengths to protect its celebrity members.
“The alleged incident occurred in the middle of their 6-year relationship, after which she continued to be his longtime girlfriend. Significantly, during their long relationship she made numerous inconsistent claims that she was previously raped by at least 3 other famous actors and musicians,” continues Winman’s statement.
“When Danny ended the relationship she continued to pursue him, even making threats to beat up his current wife Bijou Phillips unless she left him. 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. We are aware also that approximately 14 years ago a woman referred to in the blog made allegations of sexual assault and that the LADP interviewed numerous witnesses and determined the claim had no merit. Based on reading the anti-Scientology blog that posted this story, these false allegations appear to be motivated to boost Leah Remini’s anti-Scientology television series.”
Masterson of “That ’70s Show” fame currently stars in Netflix’s “The Ranch” alongside Ashton Kutcher. He is currently married to actress Bijou Phillips who share 3-year-old daughter Fianna Francis together.
