Danny Masterson’s trial for the alleged assault and rape of three women occurred in a Los Angeles courtroom at the same time as several major #MeToo cases – but these allegations predate the #MeToo movement, underlining that he “That ’70s Show” actor and leading Scientologist.
Masterson and his attorneys Philip Cohen and Karen Goldstein were on Monday in a Los Angeles court where jury selection is underway. Dozens of potential jurors were sworn in and given questionnaire instructions; He was dismissed before noon and was expected to start the selection process after Tuesday afternoon.
Masterson was formally indicted in 2020, but the charges first surfaced in March 2017, more than six months before the New York Times bombshell report on Harvey Weinstein. There was a blogger covering Scientology to report first Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department were investigating Masterson after he came out with charges of rape and assault by three women.
The women claim they came into contact with Masterson through the Church of Scientology in the early 2000s, and have each said they were pressured by the Church to keep the allegations quiet. A representative for the church declined to comment on the Masterson lawsuit Tuesday, noting that it is not a party to the case. He said, however:
“The Church has no policy that prohibits or discourages members from reporting Scientologists, or anyone’s criminal conduct, to law enforcement. Quite the opposite. Church policy explicitly demands that Scientologists comply with all laws of the country.” Follow.”
In those two cases, the women — one of whom was in a long-term relationship with Masterson — said they were forcibly raped while unconscious at some point in the early aughts. One woman said she attended a party at Masterson’s home, where she passed out and woke Masterson in his room to have sex with her; He claimed that he then tried to make her unconscious.
The three women said they came forward after speaking with former Scientologist and church critic Leah Remini, who released the first installment of her documentary series “Scientology and the Aftermath” in late 2016. At one point, one of the accusers expressed frustration to LAPD higher-ups that the investigation had been compromised through the department’s relationship with the church.
At the time, Masterson issued a lengthy statement:
“We are aware of the 16-year-old allegations of the accuser. It was only after he came into contact with Leah Remini that he made allegations of sexual harassment by Mr. Masterson. The alleged incident occurred in the middle of their 6-year relationship, after which she remained his longtime girlfriend, “It read in part, concluding: “Based on reading the anti-Scientology blog that posted this story, these The false allegations appear to have been motivated to promote Leah Remini’s anti-Scientology television series.”
In 2019, the women filed a separate lawsuit against the Church of Scientology, saying they were stalked and harassed after coming forward. In response to that lawsuit, Masterson told TheWrap through his attorney that he wanted to drop the charges, then commit crimes against his accusers:
In 2019, he said, “Eventually the public will be able to learn the truth and see how this woman has put me on the railroad.” Bandbajae, for the damage he has caused to me and my family.”
Masterson married fellow actor Bijou Phillips in 2011. He also has a child.
Before the trial could begin, Judge Charline Olmedo had to determine how much church discussion she would allow. Ultimately, she told prosecutors that she would allow limited discussion on how the church might have influenced the accusers not to turn to the police too soon.
“It’s not going to be a test on Scientology,” she said in her decision.
If convicted, Masterson could face a maximum sentence of 45 years in prison in a trial lasting up to one month.
Kelly Hartog contributed to this report.