'That 70s Show' actor Danny Masterson charged in 3 alleged rapes
Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser
LOS ANGELES >> That 70s Show actor Danny Masterson was charged with the rapes of three women in the early 2000s, Los Angeles prosecutors said today.
The three counts of rape by force or fear come after a three-year investigation of the 44-year-old Masterson. The charges were filed Tuesday and Masterson was arrested late this morning, jail records showed. He was being held on $3.3 million bail.
Masterson is charged with raping a 23-year-old woman in 2001, a 28-year-old woman in early 2003 and a 23-year-old woman in late 2003.
Mastersons attorney Tom Mesereau said his client is innocent, were confident that he will be exonerated when all the evidence finally comes to light and witnesses have the opportunity to testify.
Read more: https://www.staradvertiser.com/2020/06/17/breaking-news/that-70s-show-actor-danny-masterson-charged-in-3-rapes/
Yikes.
LizBeth
(9,952 posts)Beakybird
(3,332 posts)catbyte
(34,367 posts)BTW, isn't he one of Scientology's "celebrities?" I'll bet they drop him like a hot potato.
rpannier
(24,329 posts)Given the history of Scientology and its harassment of detractors, they probably wanted to make it as iron clad as possible
My guess, they won't drop him, they'll pull out all stops to get him acquitted
Baclava
(12,047 posts)New court papers argue that four suing women consented to "ecclesiastical rule" and forever relinquished their right to sue.
The argument being made is that these women agreed to ecclesiastical justice procedures when they first committed to practice Scientology. A Los Angeles Superior Court judge is presented with their written agreements.
"Under the Free Exercise and Establishment Clauses of the United States and California Constitutions the Church may establish its own rules governing its relationship with its members exempt from civil law," states a motion to compel religious arbitration. "The Churchs ecclesiastical arbitration is a condition of participating in Scientology services. This Court may not interfere with this condition by imposing civil rules for arbitration. The Churchs arbitration agreements, as written and agreed to, must be enforced."
"The U.S. and California Constitutions prohibit this Court from imposing civil concepts of due process when adjudicating disputes between a church and its members," states the motion. "Rather, a churchs procedures for addressing such disputes are all but unreviewable.... This Court may not impose its own notions of 'fairness' in deciding whether Plaintiffs agreements with the Church are fair or right. To do so would interfere with a Churchs rules over its members, which is clearly forbidden...."
As for procedural unconscionability, the Church's lawyers also make the case that the women were hardly forced into this situation.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/church-scientology-says-danny-masterson-stalking-suit-go-religious-arbitration-1268021
Mr.Bill
(24,277 posts)ret5hd
(20,489 posts)rpannier
(24,329 posts)Initech
(100,062 posts)Or that one super-secret branch of Scientology that tortures members. Either way, fuck that guy.
BigmanPigman
(51,584 posts)Leah Remini did a show in Aug 2019 about the stalking of his victims by Scientology members. There were 5 victims originally. She thinks it took the LA police a while to investigate it due to the church.
herding cats
(19,559 posts)Thank you for saving me the time!
BigmanPigman
(51,584 posts)It takes 30 seconds to load so be patient.
This organization is really fucked up!
herding cats
(19,559 posts)I appreciate the link!
BigmanPigman
(51,584 posts)herding cats
(19,559 posts)At the end. "It's your job to serve your master." I wanted to scream!!
BigmanPigman
(51,584 posts)reminds me of the tRump admin. It all comes down to power and money (to protect men for the most part). I can't even call them a "church".
herding cats
(19,559 posts)It's a science fiction based scam. It's mind boggling it's worked this long. Cults, including Trump's, are scary as hell!
melm00se
(4,989 posts)rumors of being a sexual predator for quite some time.
herding cats
(19,559 posts)They've been getting away with flagrant crimes, especially if they're famous or mega money makers for the cause. It's disgusting and deeply illegal.
lapfog_1
(29,199 posts)He would frequent some of the bigger games and tournaments (along with Jennifer Tilly, Laura Prepon, and James Woods)... and he stood out as having a reputation of being a complete asshole at the poker table.
I never played at the same table with him... but I knew many of the top players back then and that is what they told me.
FakeNoose
(32,626 posts)He was Steven, the goofy friend.