‘That ’70s Show’ Alum Danny Masterson Under Investigation for Sexual Assault Claims

Three women have come forward saying actor assaulted them in early 2000s

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Danny Masterson, known for playing Hyde on the hit comedy “That ’70s Show,” is being investigated by the LAPD for sexual assault, TheWrap has learned.

“The Los Angeles Police Department Robbery Homicide Division, Sexual Assault Section, is conducting an investigation involving the actor Danny Masterson,” the LAPD said in a statement to TheWrap. “Three women have come forward and disclosed that they were sexually assaulted by Masterson during the early 2000s.”

The three women claim they came into contact with Masterson through the Church of Scientology, and were pressured into keeping the allegations quiet by the Church, according to a report from Tony Ortega, a journalist who runs an anti-Scientology website called The Underground Bunker.

Masterson’s rep on Friday issued a statement naming one of the three women and claiming that she had a six-year relationship with Masterson. “Significantly, during their long relationship she made numerous inconsistent claims that she was previously raped by at least 3 other famous actors and musicians,” the statement said.

“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,” the statement added, further claiming that the “only demand” the woman made of the Church of Scientology “was asking for their help to intervene so the breakup would not be permanent.” The Church of Scientology did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.

“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,” the actor’s rep continued. “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.”

In his blog post, Ortega cited former Scientologist and actress Remini, who recently put out the A&E docuseries “Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath,” as saying that the alleged victims came to her and she encouraged them to file a police report, but they became frustrated with lack of action by the police.

“I met with the LAPD. I met with Detective Reyes, and I told her these victims deserve to be heard,” Remini said. “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? My experience with the LAPD has not been good. I asked her to do the right thing by these girls, and I told her that the world is watching.”

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