Marilyn Manson has sued Evan Rachel Wood, his former girlfriend, for defamation over her allegations of sexual assault against him, which Manson claims are “malicious falsehoods.”
Manson, whose legal name is Brian Warner, claims that Wood and “her on-again, off-again romantic partner” Ashley Gore have “publicly cast” him as a “rapist and abuser, a malicious falsehood that has derailed Warner’s successful music, TV, and film career,” according to the complaint, which was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday and obtained by Variety.
According to the lawsuit, Wood and Gore impersonated an FBI agent “by fabricating and disseminating a phony letter from the agent, to give the false impression that Warner’s supposed ‘victims’ and their families were in danger, and that there was a threat.”
It further claims that Wood and Gore “gave checklists and scripts” to accusers, and that Manson “filmed the sexual assault of a youngster.” Manson has asked for a jury trial and has also been charged with intentional infliction of emotional distress, violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, and internet impersonation.
Wood was one of numerous women who accused Manson of sexual abuse in the early part of last year.
In an Instagram post made at the time, Wood wrote: “The name of my abuser is Brian Warner, also known to the world as Marilyn Manson. He started grooming me when I was a teenager and horrifically abused me for years. I was brainwashed and manipulated into submission. I am done living in fear of retaliation, slander, or blackmail. I am here to expose this dangerous man and call out the many industries that have enabled him, before he ruins any more lives. I stand with the many victims who will no longer be silent.”
Wood and Manson’s relationship became public in 2007 when she was 19 and he was 38. They were engaged in 2010 but broke up later that year.
After the allegations against Manson came out, he was dropped by his record label, manager, and CAA, as well as from a role in the show “American Gods.”
Manson’s lawsuit against Wood comes on the heels of her documentary “Phoenix Rising,” which premiered at Sundance and debuts on HBO on March 15.
“Phoenix Rising” further details Woods’ allegations against Manson and dives into the passage of Wood’s Phoenix Act, legislation that extends the statute of limitations for domestic violence cases in California.