In a new lawsuit filed Wednesday, four women who previously accused former “That 70’s Show” actor Danny Masterson of sexual assault stated that him, the Church of Scientology, and its leader David Miscavige stalked them and conspired to obstruct justice as well.
What We Know:
- The plaintiffs include Chrissie Carnell Bixler and Marie Riales, (they both previously dated Masterson), two women identified as Jane Does and Bixler’s husband, Cedric Bixler-Zavala.
- The women claim that they met Masterson through the Church of Scientology and are accusing Masterson and the Church of attempting to harass and intimidate them into dropping their accusations. These intimidation tactics include Bixler being run off the road by a car that had been following her, and Bixler’s property being vandalized. After the attacks, her house was put under surveillance.
- Masterson has consistently denied any wrongdoing, stating Wednesday night “I’m not going to fight my ex-girlfriend (referring to Bixler) in the media like she’s been baiting me to do for more than two years…I will beat her in court — and look forward to it because the public will finally be able to learn the truth and see how I’ve been railroaded by this woman…”
- He continued by stating “…And once her lawsuit is thrown out, I intend to sue her, and the others who jumped on the bandwagon, for the damage they caused me and my family.”
- The Church put out their own statement, saying “From everything we have read in the press, this baseless lawsuit will go nowhere because the claims are ludicrous and a sham…It’s a dishonest and hallucinatory publicity stunt. Leah Remini is taking advantage of these people as pawns in her moneymaking scam…” a legal representative for the Church of Scientology said in a statement provided to TheWrap.
- Remini, a former member, currently has an A&E docuseries titled “Scientology and the Aftermath” which investigates the wrongdoings and controversies of the church. The show will be ending after three seasons with a two-hour special — filmed in front of a live studio audience of former members.
- The special will be focusing on personal testimonials alleging that the church has prevented victims from coming forward about violence and sexual assault.
- The lawsuit seeks unspecified general damages, compensatory damages for “medical, hospital and incidental expenses” and any further damages as determined by the court. Due to this controversy, Masterson was fired from his Netflix sitcom “The Ranch” in December 2017.
Justice needs to be served for these women.
