That '70s Show Actor Danny Masterson Charged With Rape Of 3 Women

Daniel Peter Masterson, best known for his role on the hit series That ‘70s Show has been charged with rape of three women by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. The three counts of rape against Masterson were filed on Tuesday, and an arrest warrant was issued. The charges come after the culmination of a three-year investigation.

On the other hand, Masterson’s attorney claimed his client is innocent, adding that they're "confident that he will be exonerated when all the evidence finally comes to light.”

Danny, 44, was arrested late Wednesday morning according to news reports. He was released few hours later after posting a $3.3 million bond and is scheduled to be presented on 18 September.

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If convicted, Masterson could face up to 45 years in prison. Prosecutors allege that Masterson raped these women between 2001 and 2003, when all of them were in their 20s.

What You Need to Know:

• Actor Daniel Peter Masterson has been charged with rape of three women between 2001 and 2003.
• Prosecutors said that all of the alleged crimes occurred at the defendant's home.
• If convicted, he could face up to 45 years in prison.
• Masterson rose to fame with the retro sitcom That ‘70s Show that ran from 1998 to 2006.

Statement from Both Sides

The women, whose names were not made public, issued a statement through their attorneys. It read that they have suffered “harassment, embarrassment and re-victimization” since they began cooperating with authorities. “We are confident that the truth will be known and hope that the charges filed today are the first steps in this long journey of healing, justice, and holding those that victimized us accountable”, the statement said. On the other hand, Masterson’s attorney claimed his client is innocent, adding that they're "confident that he will be exonerated when all the evidence finally comes to light.”

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The alleged rapes took place at the height of Masterson’s fame as he starred on That ’70s Show alongside Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis and Topher Grace. The series ran on Fox TV from 1998 to 2006, gaining huge international success. The investigation of Masterson was revealed in March 2017. During that time, he was working with Kutcher on the Netflix sitcom The Ranch. The news did not have immediate repercussions on his career. But after allegations against Harvey Weinstein and the dawn of the MeToo movement that shook Hollywood, Netflix wrote him off the show. Masterson’s case stands out as just the second set of charges LA prosecutors have filed against a famous Hollywood figure in the #MeToo era after Weinstein.

Image Credit: The Guardian

Dyuti Gupta is an intern with SheThePeople.TV.