Actor Danny Masterson, who played Hyde on “That ‘70s Show” for eight seasons, is being investigated over allegations of sexual assault.
“The Los Angeles Police Department Robbery Homicide Division, Sexual Assault Section, is conducting an investigation involving the actor Danny Masterson,” the LAPD told The Wrap in a statement on Friday. “Three women have come forward and disclosed that they were sexually assaulted by Masterson during the early 2000s.”
The investigation into the actor, who is a longtime Scientologist, was first reported by journalist Tony Ortega, who runs an anti-Scientology website called The Underground Bunker. According to documents obtained by Ortega from the LAPD, the women, who were also Scientologists, claim they were pressured by the organization to not contact the police about them.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, police did not address possible involvement of the organization.
Ortega spoke to outspoken former Scientologist and actress Leah Remini, whom he credited for encouraging the alleged victims to come forward.
Remini told Ortega that because of her recent A&E docuseries “Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath,” many former Scientologists who claim they were victimized by the group reached out to her. One of these former Scientologists, claims Remini, confided in her about being allegedly assaulted by Masterson.
“I met with the LAPD. I met with Detective Reyes, and I told her these victims deserve to be heard,” Remini told Ortega. “I pointed out to her that there was a framed picture of a Scientologist on their wall, actor Michael Peña. Do you know what that says to a young Scientologist who comes here to seek justice?”
At this time, no charges have been filed against Masterson. He denied the allegations against him via his rep, Jenni Weinman, giving a statement to THR that reads in part:
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 since [the alleged victims] only came forward after connecting with Leah Remini.
You can read the full statement here.
The Church of Scientology has yet to respond to The Huffington Post’s request for comment at this time.
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