09:13 AM EDT 10/30/2009
David Copperfield
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Judge Issues Stay in David Copperfield Sexual Assault Case
Originally posted 10/28/2009 11:50AM
David Copperfield has won a six-month stay in a lawsuit filed in July by a former Miss Washington USA contestant, alleging that the multi-millionaire magician assaulted and threatened her on his private island in the Bahamas – claims that the illusionist dismissed as an attempt at "extortion for money, plain and simple."
On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge John Coughenour stayed the case at the request of Copperfield so the U.S. attorney's office in Seattle can complete a criminal investigation into the charge, reports the Seattle Times. The plaintiff's attorney, Becky Roe, has agreed to the stay, saying her client has already waited two years.
Permalink | Filed Under: Crime & Courts, David Copperfield
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David Copperfield Calls Sex Assault Suit 'Extortion'
Originally posted 08/20/2009 10:45AM
A Seattle woman has filed a lawsuit against David Copperfield, alleging that the multi-millionaire magician assaulted and threatened her on his private island in the Bahamas – though the illusionist is dismissing her claims as an attempt at "extortion for money, plain and simple."
The woman, a 22-year-old fashion model and former Miss Washington USA contestant, says in papers filed in U.S. District Court in Seattle on July 29 – the deadline for a two-year statute of limitations – that she met Copperfield, now 52, at a performance in Kennewick in January 2007, the Seattle Times reports. That summer, she says she was invited to the island, where the alleged sexual assault took place.
Among her claims, according to news reports on her filing, the woman says that "Copperfield … attacked and sexually assaulted her" and "threatened to kill her," despite her attempts to fight him off, which left her "extremely traumatized."
Permalink | Filed Under: Crime & Courts, David Copperfield
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David Copperfield Assistant Recovering From On-Stage Injury
Originally posted 12/19/2008 06:20PM
David Copperfield's magic assistant, seriously injured during a performance, was recovering in the hospital Friday with multiple arm fractures repaired with bolts and pins.
The man, who is only being identified as "Brandon," was injured on-stage when his arm was pulled into the metal blades of a large, industrial fan while helping Copperfield during an illusion.
One of the first to see him after awaking from several hours of surgery was Copperfield. A rep for Copperfield said the man began cracking jokes in his hospital bed after awaking and was presented with a children's magic set.
"We're just thankful Brandon's injuries weren't worse," Copperfield said in a statement.
– Mark Gray
Permalink | Filed Under: David Copperfield
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David Copperfield Trick Goes Wrong, Breaks Man's Arm
Originally posted 12/18/2008 08:25PM
An employee of David Copperfield was hospitalized Wednesday with a broken arm after one of the illusionist's tricks went awry on stage.
The unidentified employee was assisting Copperfield during the "fan illusion" and got his arm caught in the fan. In the illusion, Copperfield appears to walk through the fan and disappear as he turns to smoke.
The show, dubbed An Intimate Evening of Grand Illusion, took place in Las Vegas at MGM Grand's Hollywood Theatre.
"This is a trick David has done over 3,000 times," executive producer Chris Kenner says. "This was a freak accident."
Permalink | Filed Under: David Copperfield
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Promoters Sue David Copperfield for $5 Million
Originally posted 11/07/2007 07:45AM
Did David Copperfield perform a vanishing act? Foreign promoters are suing the illusionist for nearly $5 million, claiming the embattled star skipped out on a planned Asian tour once word got out that he was under investigation for sexual misconduct.
Permalink | Filed Under: Scandals & Feuds, David Copperfield
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Lawyer: David Copperfield a 'Complete Gentleman'
Originally posted 10/19/2007 09:00PM
UPDATE: The FBI is denying previous reports that agents took $2 million in cash from Copperfield's warehouse, the Seattle Times reports.
David Copperfield's lawyer strongly denied the magician committed sexual misconduct – a claim reportedly behind an FBI investigation.
"There is no way that Mr. Copperfield has ever forced himself on anyone, because that is not the person he is," attorney David Chesnoff tells PEOPLE.
Permalink | Filed Under: Crime & Courts, David Copperfield
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David Copperfield Investigated for Sexual Misconduct
Originally posted 10/19/2007 12:40PM
The FBI investigation of David Copperfield involves a sexual misconduct claim against the magician, a Las Vegas newspaper reported Friday.
Citing an unnamed source, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported the FBI raid of Copperfield's warehouse on Wednesday was "connected to an investigation of possible sexual misconduct by the illusionist."
Permalink | Filed Under: Crime & Courts, David Copperfield
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FBI Raids Magician David Copperfield's Warehouse
Originally posted 10/18/2007 08:30PM
Magician David Copperfield has been linked to an FBI investigation, authorities confirmed Thursday.
A Las Vegas warehouse operated by Copperfield was raided by 12 agents Wednesday night, TV station KLAS reports. A computer hard drive, digital camera system, and nearly $2 million in cash were seized, the station reports.
Permalink | Filed Under: Crime & Courts, David Copperfield
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