Illusionist David Copperfield says he is the target of “false allegations” after 16 women came forward to accuse him of sexual misconduct spanning four decades.
The world-famous TV magician, 67, has been accused of groping four of the women on stage during live performances, including one when she was 15-years-old.
Copperfield faces a claim that he drugged three women before having sex with them when they could not consent.
The investigation by The Guardian alleges the star “groomed” a teenage girl with late night calls, gifts, and free tickets, before they had sex after she turned 18.
Responding to the allegations, which span from the 1980s to 2014, a representative for Copperfield said: “Everyone that knows David Copperfield will tell you that these recent allegations from one newspaper are the exact opposite of who David is.
“In fact, David has a record of risking his career to help protect women from powerful predators.
“Most of these historic accusations have been made before, and all of them are as false now as they were then.
“David requested the ‘evidence’ upon which these false allegations claim to rely and this has not been provided.
“By contrast, whenever US law enforcement has looked into such matters, they have been investigated thoroughly and it has been found that there is simply no case to answer.
“The Guardian’s characterization is not who David is, and he continues to support anyone who has experienced any form of abuse or discrimination.
“The movement must succeed, but false accusations must stop for it to flourish. David will be considering the position with his legal team and will take such steps as may be appropriate over these false and scurrilous allegations.”
Copperfield has achieved worldwide fame with illusions such as walking through the Great Wall of China and escaping from Alcatraz, making him one of the best known magicians.
It is not the first time Copperfield has faced allegations of sexual wrongdoing.
During the #MeToo movement in 2018, Copperfield issued a lengthy statement after being accused of drugging and sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl.
Denying allegations against him, Copperfield defended the MeToo movement as “crucial and long overdue”, but insisted to his fans: “Don’t rush to judgement.’
“Imagine what it’s like, believing in the movement, and having also been falsely accused publicly in the past”, he wrote.
“I’ve lived with years of news reports about me being accused of fabricated, heinous acts, with few telling the story of the accuser getting arrested, and my innocence.
“Knowing that false accusers can negatively impact the believability of others and are a true disservice to those who have been victims of sexual misconduct, I didn’t draw attention to it.”
Reacting to The Guardian’s investigation, Copperfield’s lawyers said drugs are “not a part of his world”.
The family of a 15-year-old girl say they saw Copperfield grope her breasts on stage. Copperfield’s representatives said the allegations are “not only completely false but also entirely implausible”.
He “strongly denies any suggestion of grooming or any other impropriety”, they added.
