Magician David Copperfield has said he wants the Me Too movement to flourish and asked fans not to rush to judgment after a model alleged he drugged and assaulted her in 1988.
The illusionist, who says he was the victim of a false allegation in 2007, released a statement saying he was having to “weather another storm”.
In a lengthy message on Instagram he wrote: “The #MeToo movement is crucial and long overdue.
“We all want people who feel they’ve been victims of sexual misconduct to be empowered, and as a rule we should listen, so more will feel comfortable coming forward. It’s important.
“But imagine what it’s like, believing in the movement, and having also been falsely accused publicly in the past.
“To have your life and your family’s life turned upside down.
“Three years and hundreds of stories reported on a false claim investigated by the FBI, where the end result was that the accuser was caught by law enforcement making the same false claim about another man.
“The proof was on tape. The accuser was arrested and charged.
“I’ve lived with years of news reports about me being accused of fabricated, heinous acts, with few telling the story of the accuser getting arrested, and my innocence.
“Knowing that false accusers can negatively impact the believability of others and are a true disservice to those who have been victims of sexual misconduct, I didn’t draw attention to it.
“So while I weather another storm, I want the movement to continue to flourish.
“Always listen, and consider everything carefully, but please for everyone’s sake don’t rush to judgment.”