More Women Accuse Vegas Magician David Copperfield of Sexual Misconduct — Report

Posted on: May 15, 2024, 12:25h. 

Last updated on: May 15, 2024, 01:48h.

Corey Levitan Read More
Expertise: Commercial Gaming, Entertainment, Expert Insight, Las Vegas, Restaurants, Las Vegas Myths.

One thing David Copperfield can’t make disappear are the charges of sexual misconduct hounding him since 2007. A new investigation by The Guardian adds several new names to the Las Vegas magician’s list of accusers. More than half said they were 15 to 17 years old at the time.

David Copperfield poses for a photo in 2015. (Image: CBS News)

The British newspaper reported that its investigation was based on interviews with over 100 people and court and police records.

New accuser Fallon Thornton, 38, told the Guardian that Copperfield squeezed one of her breasts after calling her on stage during a 2014 performance at the MGM Grand, where the 67-year-old magician has headlined since 1983. Records confirmed a complaint filed by Thornton with Las Vegas police, which told the Guardian that it closed the case due to “insufficient evidence.”

New David Copperfield accuser Fallon Thornton conceals her appearance from the camera. (Image: The Guardian)

Four other complaints uncovered by the new investigation paint a similar picture, charging Copperfield with either groping women or making them touch him in a sexual way during live performances. Family members of one 15-year-old who were seated in the audience claim they witnessed him grope her breasts, according to the Guardian.

Another new complainant, who gave her name as “Gillian*,” alleged that she and a friend were drugged before having sex with Copperfield following one of his shows in 1993, denying them their ability to consent.

Copperfield promised several of the newly identified complainants that he would assist with their careers in modeling or the entertainment industry, according to the Guardian.

One woman, “Carla*,” claimed that after meeting Copperfield at one of his shows in 1991, when she was 15, he began “grooming” her via late-night phone calls. After she turned 18, she claims, they had consensual sex. She said it was her first time.

According to the Guardian, 16 women in total have come forward against Copperfield. However, the newspaper didn’t clarify how many were new complaints uncovered by their investigation and how many women had previously gone public with allegations.

Copperfield’s alleged sexually inappropriate behavior dates from the late 1980s through 2014.

Previous Complaints

Britney Lewis accused Copperfield of sexually assaulting her when she was 17. (Image: The Guardian)

In 2018, Copperfield was accused of drugging and sexually assaulting a 17-year-old model named Brittney Lewis in 1988.

Copperfield denied the allegations, which were published by the website The Wrap, and no charges were ever brought.

In 2007, Copperfield was accused of rape by another woman, Lacey Carroll. A federal jury in Seattle closed the investigation in January 2010, also without any charges being brought. Carroll was later charged in Washington state with prostitution and falsely claiming to have been sexually assaulted in another case.

According to court filings unsealed In January, Copperfield’s name also appeared on a list of people connected to late sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

Copperfield Responds

A PR representative for Copperfield emailed Casino.org the following response to the new allegations, asking that the statement be published in its entirety…

Everyone that knows David Copperfield will tell you that these recent allegations from one newspaper are the exact opposite of who David is. In fact, David has a record of risking his career to help protect women from powerful predators. Most of these historic accusations have been made before, and all of them are as false now as they were then. David requested the ‘evidence’ upon which these false allegations claim to rely and this has not been provided.”

The statement continued: “By contrast, whenever US law enforcement has looked into such matters, they have been investigated thoroughly and it has been found that there is simply no case to answer. The Guardian’s characterization is not who David is, and he continues to support anyone who has experienced any form of abuse or discrimination.

“The movement must succeed, but false accusations must stop for it to flourish,” the statement concluded. “David will be considering the position with his legal team and will take such steps as may be appropriate over these false and scurrilous allegations.”

Copperfield’s show remains a huge draw at the MGM Grand, where people crowd in nightly to see the billionaire at work.