That ’70s Show actor Danny Masterson has been charged with rape in three separate cases alleged to have happened in the early 2000s, when the show was still airing.
Masterson, 44, has been arrested and charged with three counts of rape which date between 2001 and 2003, before being released on a $US3.3 million bail the same day.
There is simply way too much going on right now, but in any case the L.A. DA’s office just said they charged Danny Masterson with raping three women in the early ’00s.
He faces 45 years in jail if he’s convicted. pic.twitter.com/gd7tXNxnWW
— Josh Cain (@joshpcain) June 17, 2020
He’s accused of raping a 23-year-old woman between January and December of 2001, a 28-year-old woman in April 2003, and a 23-year-old woman at the end of 2003.
Social media reactions are mixed, with some shocked while others are unsurprised. Masterson was fired from Netflix show The Ranch after previous sexual assault allegations.
Chris D’Elia AND Danny Masterson? Why is it always the people you most suspect?
— Jenelle Riley (@jenelleriley) June 17, 2020
danny masterson getting arrested and then getting out on $3M bail the same day (when he’s been unemployed for how long ??) is the most scientologist shit i’ve ever seen
— taylor (@TaylorEhly) June 17, 2020
How many sexual assault allegations will this man go through? Last August, four women accused Masterson of sexual assault and said that the Church of Scientology leader David Miscavige stalked them, invaded their privacy and conspired to obstruct justice by covering up for Masterson and allowing their rape.
One of them, Leah Remini (who is an ex-girlfriend of Masterson) has celebrated the charges. She’s been exposing the Church of Scientology after famously breaking away from them, alleging they help cover up rape and intimidate women who speak out.
Finally, victims are being heard when it comes to Scientology! Praise the lord! This is just the beginning Scientology, your days of getting away with it is coming to an end! #justice #scientologytheaftermath https://t.co/oAFlIoWFYd
— Leah Remini (@LeahRemini) June 17, 2020
Remini played a huge part in helping Masterson’s alleged victims take action against him. The finale of her A&E docuseries Scientology and the Aftermath included her speaking to Masterson’s alleged victims and platforming their voices.
Masterson’s lawyers are maintaining that he is innocent, stating that the family is “shocked” at “these nearly 20-year old” allegations have come to a charge.
2. Statement from Danny Masterson’s attorney Tom Mesereau. pic.twitter.com/de6g7YgtLe
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) June 17, 2020
There were also two other sexual assault allegations that the prosecution decided not to pursue on grounds of insufficient evidence and and expiration of the statute of limitations.
While you could argue that this charge is another glaring win for #MeToo, I’m not sure. As some on Twitter have pointed out, this man has many loyal fans and had many coworkers continue to work with him and support him. The rape allegations are from the early 2000s, and it took until 2017, after the LAPD had confirmed they were investigating him, for him to be fired from his role.
Do we really think no one knew about the alleged rapes in the early 2000s, or should we just accept that people knew and didn’t care until it became public enough to be damaging for reputations?
Scientology needs to burn in whatever version of hell they believe in, but they weren’t alone in trying to cover up for Danny Masterson. Netflix continued to pay him & air his show, fellow actors continued working (& partying) with him, and countless bystanders remained silent. https://t.co/6ZISimqFIr
— Caroline Orr (@RVAwonk) June 18, 2020
Danny Masterson is due in court on September 18.