LOS ANGELES (AP) — In a significant development, rock musician Marilyn Manson has decided to withdraw his lawsuit against his former fiancée, Evan Rachel Wood, known for her role in “Westworld.” This agreement, announced on Tuesday, includes Manson paying for Wood’s attorney fees.
The decision comes 18 months after a Los Angeles County judge dismissed much of Manson’s 2022 lawsuit. In that suit, Manson, whose real name is Brian Warner, accused Wood of fabricating claims of sexual and physical abuse against him during their relationship and allegedly prompting other women to create similar allegations.
“Brian is relieved to dismiss his remaining claims and close this chapter of his life,” stated Manson’s lawyer, Howard King, emphasizing that he was pleased to have the opportunity to share his side of the story amid years of conflict.
Initially appealing the judge’s ruling, Manson’s legal team reached out to Wood’s lawyers earlier this spring to explore a possible settlement. However, Wood’s attorneys indicated that she preferred to bring transparency to the process and declined requests for confidentiality.
Wood’s lawyer, Michael J. Kump, criticized Manson’s initial lawsuit as a public relations tactic intended to discredit his numerous accusers and revive his struggling career, asserting that Manson’s efforts to intimidate Wood were ultimately unsuccessful.
Manson’s agreement includes the payment of nearly $327,000 to cover Wood’s attorney fees, contributing to the growing number of financial implications linked to these legal battles.
This settlement emerges nearly four years into an ongoing criminal investigation involving Manson, aged 55, focused on multiple women. Outgoing LA County District Attorney George Gascón mentioned in October that new evidence had surfaced, indicating a decision on potential charges would be made when the investigation is sufficiently advanced.
Some of the women involved in the criminal investigation have remained unnamed, though “Game of Thrones” actor Esme Bianco publicly revealed her involvement and has criticized the slow pace of the investigation. Bianco had previously reached a settlement with Manson regarding her own claims.
The Associated Press generally refrains from naming those who allege sexual abuse unless they publicly identify themselves, as both Wood and Bianco have done.
Manson has consistently denied any non-consensual sexual activities. In 2017, as the #MeToo movement gained traction, Wood spoke out about her experiences of rape and abuse without naming the perpetrator. It wasn’t until a 2020 Instagram post that she explicitly accused Manson, claiming he had “horrifically abused” her for years. They had a romantic relationship from 2007, with a brief engagement in 2010.
In his original lawsuit, Manson alleged that both Wood and another woman, Ashley Gore (known as Illma Gore), defamed him and caused him emotional distress, effectively disrupting his careers in music, television, and film. He accused them of employing deceptive tactics, including a fake FBI letter, to guide other women in bringing forward allegations against him, claiming they coached individuals on what to say. Manson pointed out that Wood had previously expressed admiration for him during their time together.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Teresa A. Beaudet dismissed portions of Manson’s lawsuit regarding the contested FBI letter, which Wood denied forging. Furthermore, Beaudet rejected claims that Wood and Gore used a checklist from an iPad for other women to replicate abuse allegations against Manson. However, other aspects of the lawsuit were still active since they weren’t included in Wood’s motion, including serious allegations that Gore accessed Manson’s private communications to fabricate evidence, and “swatted” him by making a prank call to send police to his residence.
Gore’s involvement in the lawsuit was dismissed, resulting in Manson paying $130,000 for her attorney costs.
