Rape investigation of David Copperfield closed
SEATTLE -- Federal prosecutors closed a two-year rape investigation of magician David Copperfield on Tuesday without filing charges, and police in nearby Bellevue say his accuser made a false sexual assault claim against another man last month.
The end of the federal investigation came in a brief court filing by Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Roe. The U.S. attorney's office in Seattle declined to discuss its reasons, but in a written statement, spokeswoman Emily Langlie said that generally, investigations may be closed without charges if prosecutors determine there is no federal jurisdiction, no federal laws were broken, or that it would be impossible to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
"Neither the investigation, nor its termination, should be perceived as a comment on guilt or innocence," the statement said.
The woman who made the complaint, a 23-year-old fashion model, waitress and former Miss Washington contestant, said in a related civil lawsuit against Copperfield that she met him when he pulled her out of the crowd and onto the stage during a performance in Kennewick, in southeastern Washington. She was later invited to visit his private island in the Bahamas in July 2007.
The woman claimed that once she arrived, Copperfield, whose real name is David Kotkin, sexually assaulted her, in one instance holding her head under water to coerce her.
"She is disappointed, but it wasn't completely unexpected given the jurisdictional issue of prosecuting him here for something that happened on his private island," said Rebecca Roe, a lawyer for the woman.
The illusionist's lawyers, Angelo Calfo and Patty Eakes, previously said he denied the allegations and called the lawsuit "extortion for money, plain and simple," but they had no immediate comment on the prosecutors' decision.
Bellevue Police records obtained by The Associated Press on Tuesday indicate that Copperfield's accuser made false sexual assault allegations against another man last month. Police referred the matter to prosecutors for potential charges of prostitution and making a false or misleading statement to a public servant.
According to the investigation reports, the woman was working as a server at a restaurant and decided to meet with a customer for drinks on Dec. 2. She and another woman met the man, but before long the other woman left - later telling police it was because the other two had become so affectionate toward each other that it was making her uncomfortable.
Copperfield's accuser and the other man rented a hotel room, and surveillance images included in the police records showed them kissing and holding each other in the lobby.
The woman later exited the hotel room and told hotel staff the man took advantage of her, the police documents said. She said she was dizzy and couldn't remember what happened, but only awoke to find him on top of her, police said.
But the man also called police, saying she left the room and falsely accused him to the staff because he refused to pay her $2,000 for sex.
Roe, the woman's attorney, said she believed the police report was "overblown."
"I'm fully aware that Copperfield's lawyers are trying to shine a light on her instead of what he did and his modus operandi of luring young girls to his private island," she said.
Link: http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2010/01/12/general-us-david-copperfield_7270022.html
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8 comments:
I remember when this first came out in the MSM they made it seem that there was no way he was innocent.
Why is this woman still allowed to be anonymous?
And why is she not in jail right now?
I am getting really sick of this stuff.
I don't know how any guy can read this and not be upset.
"when this first came out in the MSM they made it seem that there was no way he was innocent".
You didn't think they were going to go against their tradition of criminaling the male before the public, therefore; having him convicted by the public loooong before any trail can take place?
This woman should be named, shamed, prosecuted, sentenced, jailed for a LONG TIME and when she gets out she should register as a sex offender (or a "false rape offender").
anonymous above me.....I totally agree.
I wish everyone felt the same way.
The reality is she will likely not even be named or serve one day in jail.
I wish this stupid lady would disappear. Maybe Copperfield could make that happen.
Anonymous said...
This woman should be named, shamed, prosecuted, sentenced, jailed for a LONG TIME and when she gets out she should register as a sex offender (or a "false rape offender").
Jan 13, 2010 9:08:00 AM
I add that she should be placed in a roomfull of real rape victims and let them educate her.
I don't even understand what jurisdiction the US Federal Gov't had in this case because it allegedly occurred in the Bahamas. Copperfield of course has a lawyer so he's not going to be making any statements to the cops or the press which means we will never hear a full explanation from him on what happened and if it was just a blackmail or extortion attempt (give me money or I tell the cops I was raped) Perhaps we will hear in the civil case IF this female pursues it which is doubtful now.But what really annoys me is that female Fed Prosecutor who should have just said that the investigation was dropped due to lack of evidence(they had 2 years!) The way she worded it makes it appear that he still could be guilty and prosecuted.
There are always ways of finding out the names and addresses of these lying females. Perhaps someone should set up a data base of these woman who make false complaints whether they be rape, DV, stalking or any of the usual lies that females are prone to. This would be an excellent start to protect men from these females. He could just look up a name and see if she has ever made any false allegations and be forewarned to stay clear of her for his own protection. I'd even include the names of women who have made allegations that were sustained because as we all know it's very easy to convict a man on no real evidence and these females should be suspect as well. At the very least a data base will warn men about certain females who should be avoided. Even in a case of real rape(very rare) you don't want to be around that female and it's good to know in advance.
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