Marilyn Manson’s former assistant has accused the embattled musician of sexual assault, battery and harassment in a new lawsuit filed Tuesday.
In the lawsuit, obtained by USA TODAY, Ashley Walters claims Manson (whose real name is Brian Warner) used "his position of power, celebrity and connections to exploit and victimize (her) during her employment" from August 2010 to October 2011.
A member of Manson’s legal team vehemently denied any accusations of assault when contacted by USA TODAY Tuesday.
Walters is the latest woman to come forward with allegations of abuse against Manson. In April, "Game of Thrones" star Esmé Bianco filed a lawsuit accusing Warner of sexual assault, sexual battery and human trafficking. In February, "Westworld" star Evan Rachel Woods alleged Warner "horrifically abused" her "for years."
Marilyn Manson calls Evan Rachel Wood's allegations 'horrible distortions of reality'
More:Marilyn Manson denies'Game of Thrones' star Esmé Bianco's allegations of sexual assault
Walters alleges that Warner treated her "like his property" and repeatedly "offered Walters up to his influential industry friends and associates," giving his friends permission to grope, kiss and "have her."
At the Spike TV Scream Awards in September 2010,Walters alleges Warner pushed her"onto the lap of an actor," who "proceeded to kiss Walters and keep her on his lap," according to the suit. A month later, Warner offered her up to a director, who "groped" Walters, "cornered her and shoved his hand up her skirt while covering her mouth so his date could not hear."
Warner "routinely encouraged, promoted and expected Walters to 'please' his friends in whatever way they desired," the lawsuit reads.
Walters says she first met Warner in May 2010 at his Hollywood home to discuss "potential creative collaborations" after he had reached out over social media to praise her artwork, according to the lawsuit. She claims Warner asked to take "provocative" photographs.
"After (Warner) finished taking photographs of Walters, he pushed her onto his bed and pinned down her arms," the lawsuit reads. "Walters turned her head away as (Warner) tried to kiss her on the lips. … (He) then moved behind Walters and bit her ear while grabbing her hand and placing it in his underwear. Walters again moved away."
Warner asked Walters to be his personal assistant several months later in August 2010, the lawsuit states, and she accepted the "incredible opportunity to become involved in the creative entertainment field, despite 'red flags.' "
The lawsuit claims that Walters was subjected to "peculiar and disorienting" conditions during her employment. Warner allegedly kept his home under 65 degrees and in complete darkness at all times, requiring Walters to wear an "LED headlamp" to see.
"If the temperature rose above 65 degrees, (Warner) would explode in anger and screaming fits to the extent that he would break furniture and household items," the suit reads. The singer "intentionally created an atmosphere that was isolating and began refusing to allow Walters to visit family on most holidays or take any time off."
Walters claims Warner "engaged in threatening behavior," saying he regularly flew into "drug-induced fits of rage" and "threw dishes" at her.
"On several occasions, he forced (Walters) to stay up for 48 hours straight," the suit claims, alleging that she was required to stand for 12 hours straight on a chair without moving while taking pictures of him. "(Warner) fed her cocaine to force her to stay awake."
Marilyn Manson abuse allegations under investigation by LA Sheriff's Department
According to the lawsuit, Walters witnessed abuse inflicted upon Warner's girlfriends, claiming that "on more than one occasion, Walters snuck food and drinks into the guest bathroom for then-girlfriends Evan Rachel Wood and Esme Bianco, who were afraid to leave the room."
Warner fired Walters in 2011 after accusing her of "trying to sabotage his career," according to the lawsuit. After her termination, the lawsuit alleges Warner continued to "threaten her, accused her of stealing artwork from his home, and hacked into her Facebook account."
Walters says she decided to come forward with her allegations after being contacted by a group of individuals who have been victimized by Warner, including Blanco, Wood and Ashley Morgan Smithline. (Smithline accused the rocker of raping, biting and whipping her during their relationship more than a decade ago.)
"It was during these meetings that (Walters) realized the extent of her experiences and that what she suffered during her employment was not only traumatic, but unlawful," the suit reads.
Warner has denied all allegations against him, but he has faced fallout. He was dropped by his recording label Loma Vista Recordings and Creative Artists Agency, according to Variety. In February, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Departmentsaid it was investigating the abuse allegations made against the rocker.
If you are a survivor of sexual assault, RAINN offers support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE & online.rainn.org).
Contributing: Rasha Ali, Jenna Ryu
Marilyn Manson accused of physical abuse, rape by ex Ashley Morgan Smithline
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