US actor Danny Masterson, known for his role on “That ’70s Show,” has been sentenced to serve 30 years to life in prison for the rape of two women. This verdict comes after a retrial in which he was found guilty, following an initial jury’s inability to reach a decision in 2022.
Prosecutors argued that Masterson, 47, had used his status as a prominent Scientologist to evade accountability. The victims were allowed to deliver impact statements in court before the sentencing. Prominent former Scientologist and actress Leah Remini attended the hearing, offering support to the victims.
One of the women expressed her regret for not reporting the crimes earlier, stating, “I wished I had reported him earlier to the police.” Another forgave Masterson, saying, “I forgive you. Your sickness is no longer mine to bear.”
Masterson remained silent throughout the hearing, and his wife, Bijou Phillips, was seen in court breaking down in tears as the maximum sentence was read.
The actor was convicted based on the testimony of three women who claimed that he sexually assaulted them at his Hollywood home between 2001 and 2003, during the height of his television fame. The jury heard that he had administered drugs to the victims before the assaults. He was found guilty of rape against two of the three accusers, with the charges brought by the third accuser declared a mistrial. Prosecutors have stated they do not plan to retry that case.
Alison Anderson, a lawyer representing two of the victims, commended the women’s courage for coming forward and participating in the trials despite harassment and intimidation. She said they helped hold a “ruthless sexual predator accountable.”
Throughout the trial, prosecutors alleged that the Church of Scientology had played a role in covering up the assaults. All parties involved, including the accusers and Masterson, were Scientologists at the time of the attacks. Some of the victims claimed they were discouraged by Scientology officials from reporting the rapes to the police. One survivor was allegedly offered $400,000 and a non-disclosure agreement by Scientology officials to deter her from pursuing legal action.
In response to the verdict in May, the Church of Scientology denied any involvement in harassment, stating that there was “not a scintilla of evidence” supporting such allegations.
During the trial, Judge Charlaine Olmedo allowed discussions about Scientology’s beliefs and practices, which angered the organization.
One woman described being shunned by her mother, who is still a practicing Scientologist, saying that she had warned her mother wanted to see Masterson held accountable but not at the expense of her religion.
Another woman claimed she had faced harassment from the Church of Scientology since speaking out. She expressed, “Since the week I came forward to police, I have been terrorized, harassed, and had my privacy invaded daily by the cult of Scientology for almost seven years now. But I don’t regret it.”
Masterson was initially accused of rape in 2017 during the #MeToo movement. He denied the allegations, asserting that each encounter was consensual. Charges followed a three-year investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department. Prosecutors did not file charges in two other cases due to insufficient evidence and the expiration of the statute of limitations.
A motion for a new trial by Masterson’s defense team was denied by the judge before Thursday’s sentencing.
