Actress Bobette Riales tweeted this week, claiming that she was “repeatedly” raped by actor Danny Masterson.
I stayed quiet long enough. Danny Masterson repeatedly raped me. All I seek is justice and to prevent this from ever happening to anyone else as it has for some time,” Riales wrote, before tagging another Masterson accuser, Chrissie Bixler. “My truth will be heard. I applaud her strength as well. @ChrissieBixler #metoo #sisters.”
Bixler praised Riales in response, saying “You are amazing. I’m so proud of you.”
Riales is now the fifth woman to accuse the former That 70s Show of sexual misconduct, with allegations dating back to the early 2000s. The Los Angeles County District Attorney and Los Angeles Police Department have been investigating the assault allegations against Masterson since January.
The 41-year-old actor was fired earlier this month from the Netflix television show The Ranch after the after rape allegations against him resurfaced.
“As a result of ongoing discussions, Netflix and the producers have written Danny Masterson out of ′The Ranch.′ Yesterday was his last day on the show, and production will resume in early 2018 without him,” Netflix said in a statement.
The allegation against Masterson apparently cost former senior Netflix executive Andy Yeatman his job at the California-based streaming giant after one of the actor’s accusers alleged that Yeatman said Netflix higher-ups didn’t find her claims credible.
Netflix confirmed the conversation between the woman and Yeatman, calling his alleged comments “careless” and “uninformed.”
“While he was coaching a youth soccer match today, Mr. Yeatman ― a Netflix kids’ programming executive ― was approached by a stranger who did not identify herself or explain her connection to Danny Masterson,” Netflix said in a statement to the Huffington Post.
“Mr. Yeatman’s comments were careless, uninformed and do not represent the views of the company. Further, he would have no insights into decision making on ‘The Ranch,’” Netflix said. “We are aware of the allegations against Danny Masterson and we are following the current investigation, and will respond if developments occur.”
In a statement to TMZ, Masterson said he was “very disappointed” that he had been written out of the Netflix show and denied the allegations against him.
“From day one, I have denied the outrageous allegations against me. Law enforcement investigated these claims more than 15 years ago and determined them to be without merit,” he said.
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