Danny Masterson accuser told by Scientology officials it was a ‘high crime’ to go to cops about rape claim, trial hears
A WOMAN accusing Danny Masterson of rape alleges she was told not to go to police by Scientology officials - as doing so would be considered a "high crime" in the secretive church.
Three women who accused the That '70s Show star of sexual assault during a preliminary hearing in Los Angeles last week said they were told by officials from the church to keep from going to authorities.
The woman claimed at the hearing that the actor, a member of the Church of Scientology, had raped her while she was unconscious.
Another woman accusing Masterson of sexual assault said that a church lawyer showed up at her family's home.
She alleges the lawyer threatened to expel her from the congregation should she tell police about Masterson's alleged rape of her at his Hollywood home in 2004.
"We’re going to work out how you can not lose your daughter," the lawyer allegedly told the woman's father, according to the Times.
The church has denied all claims and said the instances were akin to a "money shakedown."
"Church policy explicitly demands Scientologists abide by all laws of the land, including the reporting of crimes," Karin Pouw, church spokesperson, told the Times.
"This is blatantly clear in the documents we understand were put before the Court — and many others," Pouw continued.
Another accuser of Masterson's said she was told to read a passage from "Introduction to Scientology Ethics" when she reported her alleged rape to church officials.
One official told her to avoid using the "r-word," she alleges, and said it would be a "high crime" in the church to report Masterson.
The actor will face trial on three counts of rape that date back to the early 2000s.
During the preliminary hearing last week,
He has pled not guilty to all three charges.