Danny Masterson Claims Leah Remini’s ‘Ongoing Vendetta’ and Scientology Bias Led to His Rape Conviction

Danny Masterson is blaming bias against Scientology on his rape conviction.

The That ’70s Show alum, 49, was found guilty on two counts of rape in 2023, following a 2022 trial that ended in a mistrial because the jury was deadlocked.

“The unfairness of the second Masterson trial was the result of prosecutorial misconduct, judicial bias, and the failure of defense counsel to present exculpatory evidence,” Masterson’s lawyer, Eric Multhaup, said in a statement, per the Los Angeles Times, on Monday, November 17.

Multhaup filed a 183-page petition on Sunday, November 16, obtained by the National Enquirer, in which he alleges police and prosecutors were prejudiced against Masterson’s faith, because of the involvement of former Scientologist Leah Remini, who publicly supported his accusers.

“She was welcomed into the prosecution fold as an adviser, strategist, authoritative arbiter on the policy and practices of the Church of Scientology, and advocate for the complaining witnesses,” the filing reads. “She was welcomed even though the LAPD knew that she had an ongoing vendetta against petitioner.”

Two women, who met Masterson through the church, testified that they were threatened with excommunication if they reported the actor for rape, because Scientology requires special permission to go to authorities about another member.

Masterson’s defense attorney, Phillip Cohen, should have called a witness to refute their claims about Scientology policy — which the church has denied — Multhaup says in his filing, noting that church scripture “includes the express proviso that the ‘laws of the land’ are paramount to Scientology law.”

Multhaup also includes 65 exhibits related to the case that he claims should have been presented by Cohen.

“The jury heard only half the story — the prosecution’s side,” Multhaup claimed in his statement. “Danny deserves a new trial where the jury can hear his side as well.”

Cohen, Remini, the LA district attorney’s office and the LAPD did not respond to the LA Times’ request for comment.

Masterson was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison, which he is currently serving at the California Men’s Colony.