Marilyn Manson has decided to drop his lawsuit against his former fiancée, actress Evan Rachel Wood, agreeing to pay her attorney fees. This move follows an 18-month-long legal battle and comes after a Los Angeles County judge dismissed much of the 2022 lawsuit, which had accused Wood of fabricating abuse claims against Manson.
Lawsuit Background
In 2022, Manson, whose legal name is Brian Warner, filed a lawsuit against Wood, alleging that she had falsely accused him of sexually and physically abusing her during their relationship, which began in 2007 and included a brief engagement in 2010. Manson’s suit claimed that Wood, along with artist Ashley Gore (also known as Illma Gore), had fabricated abuse stories and coached other women to come forward with similar allegations. The lawsuit further accused them of using false evidence, including a fabricated FBI letter, to damage his reputation and career.
However, much of the lawsuit was thrown out by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Teresa A. Beaudet, who dismissed claims related to the FBI letter and a supposed checklist that Wood and Gore allegedly used to influence other women to make abuse claims. Despite these dismissals, parts of the case remained, including allegations that Gore had illegally accessed Manson’s private communications and fabricated evidence.
Settlement and Statement from Manson’s Attorney
Manson’s legal team reached out to Wood’s attorneys in the spring of 2024, seeking a settlement. In a statement following the settlement, Manson’s lawyer, Howard King, said, “After four years of fighting a battle where he was able to tell the truth, Brian is pleased to dismiss his still-pending claims and appeal in order to close the door on this chapter of his life.”
Wood’s lawyer, Michael J. Kump, responded by criticizing Manson’s motivations, saying that the lawsuit was a “publicity stunt” aimed at undermining the credibility of his accusers and reviving his faltering career. Kump added that Manson’s attempt to silence Wood had failed.
Financial Settlement
As part of the agreement, Manson will pay nearly $327,000 to cover Wood’s legal fees.
Ongoing Criminal Investigation
The settlement comes nearly four years into an ongoing criminal investigation into Manson, involving multiple women who have made similar accusations of abuse. In October 2024, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón’s office revealed that new evidence had been discovered in the case, though no decision has been made yet regarding whether charges will be filed.
While the identities of the women involved in the criminal case have not been publicly revealed, actress Esme Bianco, known for her role in Game of Thrones, has spoken out about her own abuse allegations against Manson. Bianco settled a separate lawsuit against Manson in 2023.
Marilyn Manson’s Denial
Manson has consistently denied all allegations of non-consensual sexual acts, maintaining that any relationships he had were consensual. He has also repeatedly stated that the claims made by Wood and others are false.
Wood first publicly discussed her abuse in 2017 during the rise of the #MeToo movement, though she did not initially name her abuser. In a 2020 Instagram post, she revealed that Manson was the person who had “horrifically abused” her for years.
Content Warning: This article discusses serious allegations of abuse, including claims of sexual and physical violence. The details shared may be sensitive and distressing to some readers. If you or someone you know is affected by these issues, please consider seeking support from appropriate services or helplines.
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Source:
PEOPLE.COM
