That 70’s Show actor Danny Masterson has been charged with the Los Angeles prosecution for the rape of three women between 2001 and 2003, CNN reports Thursday. The actor was released on bail after his arrest and must appear on the case on September 18.
“Mr. Masterson is innocent,” said the statement by Masterson’s lawyer, Tom Mesereau. “We are confident that he will be acquitted when all the evidence has surfaced and witnesses have had their say.”
Masterson, now 44, is accused of raping a 23-year-old woman at his own Hollywood home between January and December 2001. He is also alleged to have raped a 28-year-old woman in April 2003, also in his home.
Masterson is said to have committed an attack on a then 23-year-old woman sometime between October and December of that year. Two other allegations against the actor have not been included in the charges because they are now barred or cannot be proven.
Masterson accused of rape in 2017 by ex-girlfriend
In December 2017, Masterson’s ex-girlfriend, actress Bobette Riales, accused the actor of raping her several times. “I hope to prevent this from ever happening to anyone else,” said the actress.
Masterson played the role of Steven Hyde in the comedy That 70’s Show between 1998 and 2006 . After allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced at his address in 2016 and 2017, his PR agent cut ties with the actor and was written out of the Netflix series The Ranch .