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Magician David Copperfield has been accused of sexual misconduct by 16 totally different women, with greater than half alleging they have been underage after they interacted with the entertainer.
The claims have been made as half of a years-lengthy investigation by the Guardian newspaper’s U.S. bureau, which reported allegations courting from the late Nineteen Eighties to 2014.
The accusations in opposition to Copperfield, 67, vary from alleged cases of drugging, sexual assault and groping.
Many of the women declare Copperfield stated he would assist them set up a modelling or leisure profession. More than half of the accusers stated they met Copperfield at one of his exhibits.
Copperfield has denied all of the allegations in opposition to him. Lawyers for the illusionist informed the Guardian that Copperfield “never acted inappropriately with anyone, let alone anyone underage.” His legal professionals keep the magician is somebody who shows “kindness, shyness and treatment of men and women with respect.”
The legal professionals stated it was “not only completely false but also entirely implausible” that Copperfield ever touched a girl inappropriately.
As for allegations of drugging women, Copperfield’s legal professionals stated medication are “not a part of his world.”
Copperfield has by no means been charged with a criminal offense, his legal professionals famous.
One lady included within the Guardian’s investigation, Brittney Lewis, made her accusations in opposition to Copperfield public in 2018. She stated he drugged her in 1988, when she was 17 years outdated, then sexually assaulted her.
The magician denied Lewis’ allegations in 2018 when she mentioned them publicly.
Now, two extra unnamed women informed the Guardian they have been additionally drugged and sexually assaulted by Copperfield. The women, who’re buddies, stated they met Copperfield for drinks after one of his exhibits in 1993. They informed the newspaper they have been unable to consent to intercourse with him and “blacked out” in his resort room.
Four different women stated Copperfield groped them or that they have been made to the touch him in a sexual method throughout his stage performances. Three of the 4 women have been youngsters on the time of the alleged incidents. One lady stated she was 15 years outdated when Copperfield allegedly touched her breasts on stage with out consent, all whereas her household watched from the viewers.
A special, nameless lady informed the Guardian she was additionally 15 when she met Copperfield at a present in 1991. The pair saved involved for years, however the lady now says she was “groomed” by the illusionist, who as soon as despatched her a card when she was 16 that learn, “In 2 years I will be back.” The lady stated she and Copperfield had consensual intercourse when she was 18, and that it was her first time.
Copperfield’s legal professionals denied he groomed the accuser and stated she and Copperfield had a consensual relationship for 4 years.
One groping allegation in opposition to Copperfield has Canadian roots, stemming from a present in Hamilton, Ont. in 1996. The accuser stated she was 17 when Copperfield invited her on stage. He allegedly touched her inappropriately “between the anus and the vagina” in entrance of the group. She filed a police grievance in 2018.
Another lady, 38-yr-outdated Fallon Thornton, reported Copperfield to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department after he allegedly squeezed her breast when she got here on stage throughout a 2014 efficiency at MGM Grand on line casino-resort. The Guardian obtained police information for the alleged incident, which famous the case was closed resulting from “insufficient evidence.”
These 16 women are usually not the primary to accuse Copperfield of sexual misconduct — cases which his legal professionals known as “numerous false claims” already in opposition to him.
The Guardian stated their intensive reporting drew on interviews with greater than 100 individuals, in addition to court docket and police information.
In a press release to Global News, a consultant for Copperfield maintained his innocence.
“Everyone that knows David Copperfield will tell you that these recent allegations from one newspaper are the exact opposite of who David is. In fact, David has a record of risking his career to help protect women from powerful predators,” the assertion reads. “Most of these historic accusations have been made before, and all of them are as false now as they were then. David requested the ‘evidence’ upon which these false allegations claim to rely and this has not been provided. By contrast, whenever US law enforcement has looked into such matters, they have been investigated thoroughly and it has been found that there is simply no case to answer.”
The assertion continues: “The Guardian’s characterization is not who David is, and he continues to support anyone who has experienced any form of abuse or discrimination. The movement must succeed, but false accusations must stop for it to flourish. David will be considering the position with his legal team and will take such steps as may be appropriate over these false and scurrilous allegations.”
In January, Copperfield’s title was revealed in documents associated to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, amongst a number of different excessive-profile people. One of Epstein’s victims named Copperfield in a 2016 deposition associated to a defamation lawsuit in opposition to Ghislaine Maxwell and stated she met the magician when he carried out methods at a dinner.
The presence of Copperfield’s title in Epstein-related paperwork doesn’t instantly imply he has dedicated a criminal offense. His legal professionals stated Copperfield had “no knowledge or belief that anything improper was going on” with Epstein.
“Like the rest of the world, he learned about it from the press,” his legal professionals stated of Epstein’s crimes, including that Copperfield didn’t often socialize with Epstein.
If you or somebody you recognize is experiencing abuse or is concerned in an abusive scenario, please go to the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime for assist. They are additionally reachable toll-free at 1-877-232-2610.
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