Rocker Marilyn Manson has come to an agreement to drop his lawsuit against Evan Rachel Wood, his former fiancée and “Westworld” star, and will also cover her attorneys’ expenses, as confirmed by legal representatives for both parties on Tuesday.
This step follows a Los Angeles County judge’s dismissal of significant portions of Manson’s 2022 lawsuit over a year and a half ago, where he, known legally as Brian Warner, accused Wood of fabricating claims of sexual and physical abuse throughout their relationship and of prompting other women to do the same.
“After a prolonged dispute where he managed to express his truth, Brian is happy to close this chapter by dismissing his pending claims and appeal,” said Manson’s lawyer, Howard King, in a statement.
Despite Manson’s ongoing appeal against the dismissal, his legal team approached Wood’s representation about a possible settlement in the spring. Wood’s attorneys disclosed on Tuesday that she chose not to agree to a confidentiality clause regarding the settlement terms.
According to Wood’s attorney, Michael J. Kump, Manson initiated the lawsuit as a means of gaining publicity, aiming to tarnish the credibility of numerous women who have accused him and to help revitalize his struggling career. “However, his effort to silence and intimidate Ms. Wood was unsuccessful,” he stated.
Manson has consented to pay nearly $327,000 in legal fees for Wood, marking a significant turn in this legal saga.
This settlement arrives nearly four years after a criminal investigation involving multiple women against the 55-year-old rocker remains open and unresolved. LA County’s outgoing District Attorney, George Gascón, indicated in October that new evidence had been uncovered, and a determination on potential charges would be made as the investigation developed further.
Although the identities of the women linked to the criminal case haven’t been publicly disclosed, “Game of Thrones” actress Esme Bianco has stated she is one of the involved parties, expressing frustration with the lengthy investigation process. Bianco reached a settlement in her lawsuit against Manson last year.
Typically, the media refrains from naming individuals who allege sexual abuse unless they have publicly shared their experiences, as has been the case with both Wood and Bianco.
Manson has repeatedly denied any involvement in non-consensual sexual activities. In 2017, as the #MeToo movement gained traction, Wood came forward with statements about her experiences with sexual violence, testifying on the issue before a Congressional committee in 2018 without naming any individuals. Later, in a 2020 Instagram post, she specifically accused Manson of “horrifically abusing me for years.” The couple had announced their romantic relationship in 2007 and were briefly engaged in 2010, ultimately parting ways.
Manson’s initial lawsuit claimed that both Wood and another individual, Ashley Gore (also known as Illma Gore), had defamed him, intentionally inflicted emotional distress, and disrupted his career across various entertainment sectors. He alleged they misled victims with a false FBI letter to persuade them to come forward with abuse claims and even coached them on the narrative.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Teresa A. Beaudet dismissed claims involving the alleged forged FBI letter, which Wood denied creating, and also threw out claims regarding the use of an iPad checklist to guide other women in making accusations against Manson.
Nevertheless, several components of the lawsuit persisted, as they were not included in Wood’s motion, encompassing allegations that Gore hacked into Manson’s accounts and even executed a prank call, also known as “swatting,” to attract authorities to his residence.
Gore has since settled her own part in the legal battle against Manson. Responses from her legal team were not immediately available.