Politics
Danny Masterson accuser told by Scientology officials it was a ‘high crime’ to go to cops about rape claim, trial hears
A WOMAN accusing Danny Masterson of sexual assault alleges she was told not to go to police by Church of Scientology officials.
Three women who have accused the That ’70s Show actor of sexual assault during a preliminary hearing in Los Angeles last week said they were told by officials from the church to keep from going to authorities.
Three accusers of Danny Masterson alleged Church of Scientology officials tried to silence them[/caption]
The church has denied all claims and said they were akin to a “money shakedown”[/caption]
One of the alleged victims claimed a church official told her to put in writing she would “take responsibility” for an alleged sexual assault in 2001, the Los Angeles Times reported.
The woman claimed at the hearing that the actor, a member of the Church of Scientology, had raped her while she was unconscious.
Another woman accusing Masterson of sexual assault said that a church lawyer showed up at her family’s home.
She alleges the lawyer threatened to expel her from the congregation should she tell police about Masterson’s alleged rape of her at his Hollywood home in 2004.
One of the accusers alleged a Church official told her it would be a “high crime” in the church’s eyes to report Masterson to police[/caption]
Another accuser claims a church lawyer went to her family’s house and threatened to expel her from the congregation[/caption]
Masterson will face trial on three counts of rape that date back to the early 2000s[/caption]
“We’re going to work out how you can not lose your daughter,” the lawyer allegedly told the woman’s father, according to the Times.
The church has denied all claims and said the instances were akin to a “money shakedown.”
“Church policy explicitly demands Scientologists abide by all laws of the land, including the reporting of crimes,” Karin Pouw, church spokesperson, told the Times.
“This is blatantly clear in the documents we understand were put before the Court — and many others,” Pouw continued.
Another accuser of Masterson’s said she was told to read a passage from “Introduction to Scientology Ethics” when she reported her alleged rape to church officials.
One official told her to avoid using the “r-word,” she alleges, and said it would be a “high crime” in the church to report Masterson.
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The actor will face trial on three counts of rape that date back to the early 2000s.
During the preliminary hearing last week, his accusers allege he hit them or held a gun to their head.
He has pled not guilty to all three charges.
