New Charges Swirl Around Copperfield

Reports: Tried To Buy Off Sex Assault Accuser For $2M, And Uses Shows To Pick Up Women

(CBS)  David Copperfield's legal troubles may be worsening.

The illusionist reportedly offered a woman accusing him of sexual assault $2 million to drop her allegations, even as other women are apparently claiming Copperfield uses his shows to target pretty women and try to pick them up.

According to various reports, FBI agents last week raided a Las Vegas warehouse Copperfield owns and, among other things, took a computer hard drive, a memory chip from a digital camera system, and $2 million in cash from a safe. A Copperfield attorney and the FBI deny that any money was taken from the warehouse.

Seattle police now say authorities are probing a woman's claim that she was sexually assaulted by Copperfield. It supposedly happened on his $50 million estate in the Bahamas in late July. The FBI confirms that an allegation out of Seattle prompted the warehouse raid.

In an interview in the National Enquirer, a "friend" of the 21-year-old Seattle woman gives details of the alleged sexual assault and payoff attempt.

According to the tabloid, the friend says the woman flew from Seattle to the Bahamas to attend what she'd been told was a lavish party Copperfield was going to throw but, when the accuser arrived, there was nobody there but Copperfield. The Enquirer says the woman was told she could leave, but that she could stick it out for the night if she wanted and leave the next day. That night, the friend told the Enquirer, Copperfield forced himself on the young woman. The next day, the friend says, the woman returned to Seattle and went right to a hospital, where a rape exam was performed. The friend says the woman purposely didn't shower after the alleged assault, so traces of semen could be preserved, and the woman also took cell phone pictures of the supposed crime scene.

The friend says agents from Seattle's FBI office worked with the woman to put together a "sting" operation in which the woman e-mailed Copperfield, and arranged for her to fly to Las Vegas for a face-to-face meeting, during which the $2 million was offered.

Copperfield lawyers say he never forced himself on anyone, and he's being spotlighted because he's rich and famous.

On Thursday, TMZ.com had an interview with a girl it said is named Amanda, who claimed she was "singled" out by Copperfield just a couple days before his warehouse was raided. When she was led backstage by an assistant, Amanda said, her photo was taken and was asked questions about her taste in perfume and whether she liked the Bahamas. Amanda said she felt "creeped out" by the whole situation but, "He was in and out in less than 10 seconds and they said it was a meet and greet, but I think, after they realized I was married, he decided to just sign my pictures."

TMZ says several other women posted similar stories on the TMZ message board. TMZ also says Copperfield targets females in the audience by using key words such as "mama" and "secrecy."

On The Early Show Friday, CBS News legal analyst Mickey Sherman and Court TV anchor Lisa Bloom discussed the allegations Copperfield is facing and agreed making them disappear won't be easy.

To watch the interview, click here.

[briansgirl2]

Well, at least he didn''t sexually assault a "male"!! Although assault in any case is wrong. Tell me, why would a man of his stature and success have to criminally and sexually attack any female? I know I''d do him if he asked(smile).

[nolimits1971]

"Tabloid Junkie" excerpts
Speculate to break the one you hate
Circulate the lie you confiscate
Assassinate and mutilate
As the hounding media in hysteria
Who''s the next for you to resurrect
JFK exposed the CIA
Truth be told the grassy knoll
As the blackmail story in all your glory
It''s slander
You say it''s not a sword
But with your pen you torture men
You''d crucify the Lord...
And you don''t have to read it...
Just because you read it in a magazine
Or see it on the TV screen
Don''t make it factual
Though everybody wants to read all about it
Just because you read it in a magazine
Or see it on the TV screen
Don''t make it factual, actual
They say he''s homossexual
In the hood
Frame him if you could
Shoot to kill
To blame him if you will
If he dies sympathize
Such false witnesses
*** self righteousness
In the black
Stab me in the back
In the face
To lie and shame the race
Heroine and Marilyn
As the headline stories of
All your glory
It''s slander
With the words you use
You''re a parasite in black and white
Do anything for news
And you don''t go and buy it...
And they won''t glorify it...
To read it sanctifies it...
See, but everybody wants to believe all about it
Just because you read it in a magazine
Or see it on the TV screen
Don''t make it factual
See, but everybody wants to believe all about it
Just because you read it in a magazine...

She''s blonde and she''s bisexual

Scandal
With the words you use
You''re a parasite in black and white
Do anything for news...
You''re so *** disrespectable

[keithle1]

Women aren''t known for being smart.

[jayekimberly]

My Only question is why would she go to a "Party" in the bahamas by her self? NOT TO SMART NOW IS SHE?

[keithle1]

"..Copperfield uses his shows to target pretty women and try to pick them up." He''s sure not going to use his shows to pick up fugly females.

A single rich heterosexual man with a *** drive. Looking to get some. What a shock. Men are so tough to figure out! It seems that their *** does the thinking for them. Who knew.

"He invited me back to his place and the only thing, sniff, gasp, on his mind was... ***! He wasn''t interested in me as a person."

Boy ain''t hurting for money. "50 million estate in the Bahamas." That''s magical!

Money on a man is like pretty on a woman.
*****************************************

[TennMom1]

Oops, last paragraph should have read CBS instead of ABC. It is really hard to keep the networkds straight these days, as most of them are more regularly relying in tabloid tactics to reel in an audience.

[TennMom1]

There are so few facts here. This entire story relies on, of all things, the National Enquirer, to try and convict Copperfield in the eyes of the public. When did CBS become a gossip "rag?

Most puzzling is why the FBI got involved. If the same kind of allegations had been made about Joe Schmoe, would the feds even give a ***? The other thing that bothers me is why it should matter if Copperfield "used" his act to pick up women. I doubt a man of his celebrity, good looks and financial status would have to use subterfuge to find women but, even if he did, since when did that become a crime? At least that would be more original than some of the *** pickup ploys used by the average guy.

ABC should get back to the business of being a serious media outlet and leave the gossip mongering to the tabloids.

[sjw1253]

The bleep on my post was s-e-x-ee

I don''t think that is a bad word...

[sjw1253]

I believe everyone is trying to make judgment calls on this with so little facts presented.

The thought of David Copperfield doing something like this is so disheartening. Almost - as bad - if not - as bad as OJ when we watched him in the slow chase when we knew he killed Nicole as his entire actions demonstrated he did.

It was so hard to believe OJ could do something like that and I am sure there were those who felt he did it that believed she did something to deserve it...

There is not enough information here and although I really hope it is not true - we cannot believe the worst of the woman unless the evidence demonstrates that.

How horrible it is to be accused of making something up if indeed someone has been hurt this way.

We don''t have a clue who the real D.C. is - as he appears - he is truly a *** man with a lot of charisma. That is his stage presence and we much not forget that is not the true person behind the name.

I do on the other had recognize there are women out there who make this nightmare for woemn who have truly been hurt - by making things up (and especially for money)...

I cannot make a decision of his guilt or inocence in this matter. I believe it has to play out in the legal system until the evidence is provided that will give undeniable verdict of guilt or inocent (should it go to court)...

[erasmus6]

Who the hell REALLY knows????

[rkb50]

could it be that these young women are just that, young? and not everyone is trying to extort cash ... maybe she thought he was truly interested in a relationship (haha) really tho, strange how these "accusers" are all about the same age ... there just may be a grain of truth here. wonder what claudia shiffer would say if asked about his preference for young girls!

[mrassekh]

Well, gee, you can''t argue with the National Enquirer! It''s gotta be true.

[samthetvcat]

I tend to think the woman is telling the truth because she turned down the $2mil and wants to press charges - plus Copperfield''s so creepy. Ick. The Kobe case to me seemed more like a case of mis-communication, but this strikes me more as a case of OJ entitlement - gross!

[dgshiner]

this is some more BS with a woman trying to extort money from someone who is rich! Also I am tired of this sort of tactic have they did any dna testing also why did she wait so long I am sure this guy is NO saint, she sounds like she is trying to distroy his reputation!

[cmp271]

It sounds more like blackmail to me. Why would you stay overnight in the same room with someone. She is the one who is guilty. She is trying to set him up to extort money.

I saw this guy too, and it does not surprise me he can get alot of women. Maybe she forced herself on him that night. Maybe he is paying her to go away in an attempt at being threatened with being charged with rape or pay up. She had his email and came to vegas to see him. Sounds like an attempt to get money out of him.

I hope he gets out of this one for the sake of other celebrities. The lesson is to be careful.

I still say Mike Tyson-as stupid as he is anyway-was set up. He did not rape that bimbo. She had said to her friends she was going to get some money out of this guy and she did. She was mad he sent her home, in his limo, alone!! He went to jail on a lie.

[rosevk]

I agree "no" means no, but why did she think she was being flown to the Bahamas, just to attend a "lavish party". . .come on now, I''m sure Mr. Show Biz has a lot of "friends" to party with, why does she really think he invited her? And why didn''t she use her cell phone to call the police or her family or a real friend right away instead of taking pictures, this makes no sense if she was so trumatized by the incident why not have the "authorities" do their job and take pictures of the so called crime scene? What happened to being innocent until proven guilty, I''m not defending Mr. Copperfield because I only know what I read, but it seems like the media has already convicted this celebrity.

[bm6005]

So we should try every rock star for poking groupies? Wow, someone''s on something!

[nirak2-2009]

I doubt very much that Copperfield has to resort to this kind a thing.
They probably stand in line hoping he would pick them.

[timetrips1]

Duh! Isn''t that the point/perk of being a Rich and Famous entertainer? Of course he uses his show to get women, he''d be an idiot if he didn''t. While rape is a serious crime and "No" should mean No, still she agreed to spend the night and it comes down to her word against his. Unless he beat the heck out her I''d say she should chalk it up to experience and make better decisions in the future.

[kommoncents-2009]

It''s funny that the media is feigning shock that Copperfield uses his show to pick up attractive women. Musicians have been doing this forever! It''s common knowledge by the music industry and music fans that musicians on stage signal to their "roadies" when they fancy a girl in the audience and then the girl is invited backstage after the show. In fact girls purposely dress provacativly and try to get as close to the front as possible just so they can be picked to go backstage, which usually leads to.... well, I think you can guess. I know what I''m talking about, this happened to me at a Van Halen concert back in the 80''s! Women who accept these types of invitations know what to expect.