Marilyn Manson files to dismiss Esme Bianco’s sex assault case
Marilyn Manson’s attorneys ask for ‘Game of Thrones’ actress Esmé Bianco’s sexual assault claims to be thrown out because of California’s statute of limitations law
Marilyn Manson’s attorneys have filed to dismiss the lawsuit of “Game of Thrones” actor Esmé Bianco, in which she accuses Manson of sexual assault and battery.
Back in April, Bianco filed a federal lawsuit alleging that Manson — whose legal name is Brian Warner — raped her in May 2011, among other acts of sexual violence. The lawsuit lays out Bianco’s claims in harrowing detail, describing her allegations that Manson repeatedly used drugs, force and threats to coerce her into sexual acts.
In a new court filing, which was submitted on Wednesday, Manson’s attorneys asked for the suit to be dismissed, writing that Bianco’s claims “are untrue, meritless, and a key component of a coordinated attack by multiple plaintiffs, who are cynically and dishonestly seeking to monetize and exploit the #MeToo movement.” Representatives for Bianco did not immediately respond to Variety‘s request for comment.
Bianco first came forward against Manson in February, shortly after Evan Rachel Wood posted on Instagram her allegations that Manson had “horrifically” abused her, and that she was “brainwashed and manipulated into submission.” In an interview with The Cut, Bianco alleged that Manson had psychologically abused her, whipped and cut her without her consent and chased her around his apartment with an ax. After Wood’s statement, Manson posted a message to his Instagram, calling the claims “horrible distortions of reality.” He has continued to deny the allegations. Manson’s attorneys echoed the same rhetoric in Wednesday’s filing, writing that the allegations are “twisted tales that bear no resemblance to reality.”
Following the allegations against Manson in February, he was dropped by his manager, record label and CAA. In June, Manson turned himself in to the Los Angeles Police Department on an outstanding charge for allegedly assaulting a videographer during a 2019 concert in New Hampshire. He has since been released on personal recognizance bail.
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Marilyn Manson says Esme Bianco’s sex assault claims against him are “untrue, meritless” and part of a “coordinated attack” by multiple women.
Earlier this year, the Game Of Thrones actress sued the singer, accusing him of sexual assault and battery.
She alleged that Manson repeatedly used drugs, force and threats to coerce her into sexual acts.
Manson, real name Brian Warner, has now filed to dismiss the case, saying he denies “each and every” allegation.
Bianco is one of four women to sue the singer, alongside Manson’s former personal assistant Ashley Walters, model Ashley Morgan Smithline, and a woman who has chosen to remain anonymous. Many of their allegations are of a similar nature, including claims of sexual and physical abuse.
In total, more than a dozen women have made public allegations against the musician, including his ex-fiancée Evan Rachel Wood.
In court papers filed in Los Angeles, Manson’s lawyers says there is “not a shred of evidence” to support their claims.
“These individuals, including [the] plaintiff, spent months plotting, workshopping, and fine-tuning their stories to turn what were consensual friendships and relationships with Warner from more than a decade ago, into twisted tales that bear no resemblance to reality,” they continue.
They further accuse the women of “desperately trying to conflate the imagery and artistry of Warner’s ‘shock rock’ stage persona, Marilyn Manson, with fabricated accounts of abuse”.
The documents, obtained by the BBC, also allege that Manson’s accusers are “cynically and dishonestly seeking to monetise and exploit the #MeToo movement”.
Bianco first came forward with her claims against Manson in February, shortly after Evan Rachel Wood made a statement alleging Manson had “horrifically” abused her, and that she was “brainwashed and manipulated into submission.”
The British actress sued the rock star in April, claiming he tied her up, beat her and electrocuted her. She also said Manson had coerced her into sexual intercourse that was often violent and degrading, sometimes when she was unconscious or otherwise unable to consent.
Manson has consistently denied the claims, calling them “horrible distortions of reality”.
Manson’s lawyers have also argued that Bianco’s case has been filed too late to be considered under California law.
Her accusations, which date back to 2011, “are time-barred by more than seven years and Plaintiff cannot establish an applicable exception to the statute of limitations”, they said, and called for the case to be dismissed.
Following the allegations against Manson in February, he was dropped by his manager and record label.
In June, Manson turned himself in to the Los Angeles Police Department in connection with a 2019 arrest warrant, regarding the alleged assault of a videographer at a concert. He has since been released on bail.
Esmé Bianco Sues Marilyn Manson for Sexual Assault and Battery’
Game of Thrones actress Esmé Bianco is suing Marilyn Manson and his longtime manager, Tony Ciulla, for sexual assault and sexual battery. The complaint, obtained by Vulture on Friday, claims that Manson, real name Brian Warner, also violated human-trafficking laws by bringing Bianco from London to Los Angeles under the pretense that she would be filming a music video for his song “I Want to Kill You Like They Do in the Movies,” which was never released, and a movie based on the works of Lewis Carroll, Phantasmagoria, which was never made. “Mr. Warner used drugs, force, and threats of force to coerce sexual acts from Ms. Bianco on multiple occasions,” the lawsuit says. “Mr. Warner raped Ms. Bianco in or around May 2011.” Bianco is one of more than a dozen women to come forward with accusations against the musician. In a February interview with the Cut, she described the alleged abuse she faced during their relationship in 2011. The lawsuit, first reported by Rolling Stone, also claims Manson “committed sexual acts” when Bianco was unconscious or unable to consent. “These acts include spanking, biting, cutting, and whipping Ms. Bianco’s buttocks, breasts, and genitals for Mr. Warner’s sexual gratification — all without the consent of Plaintiff.” Ciulla Management, the company that also represents Rob Zombie and Tove Lo, among others, is named as a defendant in the claim. Ciulla himself cut ties with Manson in February following the assault allegations.
Bianco came forward earlier this year along with actress Evan Rachel Wood, who also accused Manson of abuse. “As millions of survivors like myself are painfully aware, our legal system is far from perfect,” Bianco said in a statement to Rolling Stone. “This is why I co-created the Phoenix Act, a law which gives precious additional healing time to thousands of domestic-violence survivors. But while I fight for a more just legal system, I am also pursuing my right to demand my abuser be held to account, using every avenue available to me.”
Update July 28:
Manson’s attorneys filed documents today claiming that Bianco is part of a conspiracy “cynically and dishonestly seeking to monetize and exploit the #MeToo movement,” according to Billboard.
The document alleges that Bianco’s claims are “provably false,” and that she and other accusers have plotted their testimony with the intention of conflating the “imagery and artistry” of Manson’s stage persona with the private actions of Brian Warner.
Esmé Augusta Bianco
(born 25 May 1982) is a British actress, DJ, model and neo-burlesque performer, best known for her recurring role as Ros on Game of Thrones.