That ’70s Show actor Danny Masterson has been charged with raping three women, according to prosecutors in Los Angeles.
On Wednesday, Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey said the 44-year-old star had been accused of assaulting the alleged victims in separate incidents between 2001 and 2003.
He has denied the allegations, according to his lawyer.
With an arraignment hearing set for September, prosecutors have said that Masterson has been charged with three counts of rape by force or fear.
The former Netflix star is alleged to have raped a 23-year-old woman in 2001, and was also accused of attacking a 28-year-old woman in April 2003.
The actor is also alleged to have raped a 23-year-old between October and December 2003.
Danny Masterson has been charged with raping three women, according to prosecutors in Los Angeles (Image: Getty Images for DirecTV)
In a statement shared with the PA news agency on Wednesday, Masterson’s lawyer Tom Mesereau said the allegations are false.
Mesereau said: “Mr Masterson is innocent, and we’re confident that he will be exonerated when all the evidence finally comes to light and witnesses have the opportunity to testify.
Masterson rose to fame playing Steven Hyde on hit comedy series That ’70s Show (Image: Channel 5)
“Obviously, Mr Masterson and his wife are in complete shock considering that these nearly 20-year old allegations are suddenly resulting in charges being filed, but they and their family are comforted knowing that ultimately the truth will come out.
“The people who know Mr Masterson know his character and know the allegations to be false.”
A practising Scientologist, Masterson has been married to his actress wife Bijou Phillips since 2011, with the couple sharing one daughter.
Masterson also played Jameson “Rooster” Bennett in the Netflix sitcom The Ranch (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Masterson rose to fame playing Steven Hyde on hit comedy series That ’70s Show in the late 90s, alongside co-stars Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis.
In 2016, he went on to play Jameson “Rooster” Bennett in the Netflix sitcom The Ranch.
Masterson was written out of the show by producers the following year after he was accused of sexual assault.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
