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Steven Seagal

Two Steven Seagal accusers detail allegations of rape, sexual assault by actor

Maeve McDermott
USA TODAY
Steven Seagal is under investigation by the LAPD for sexual assault and rape.

Led by attorney Lisa Bloom at a press conference in Los Angeles Monday, two women who had previously accused Steven Seagal of rape and sexual assault told their stories about the actor's alleged misconduct.

Originally revealed in a January report by The Wrap, actress Regina Simons said she was 18 and an extra on Seagal’s 1994 film On Deadly Ground when he allegedly raped her, while former model Faviola Dadis said she filed a police report about Seagal in the last month, saying he groped her during an audition in 2002.

During the press conference, Simons said that Seagal raped her after inviting her to his house, claiming he was throwing a wrap party. She said that he was twice her age at the time, and she had not had a sexual encounter with a man before that experience.

“He closed the door and approached me from behind. He started kissing my neck and taking off my clothes. I was in shock,” Simons said. “I was completely caught off guard. Seagal was more than twice my size and twice my age. I was not sexually active, nor had I ever been naked in front of a man before.

"There was nothing consensual about this. I couldn't move and I felt as if I was watching my body from above. I felt tears coming down my face," Simons said. "Seagal finally finished, and I dressed as fast as I possibly could. He put his hand on the door and asked me if I needed any money. I said no and ran for the door."

More:LAPD opens investigation of Steven Seagal after sexual harassment claims

Related:Jenny McCarthy alleges sexual harassment by Steven Seagal

Dadis said that Seagal assaulted her when she was 17 during an audition at a hotel. 

"Steven asked me to take off his clothes, which I did even though I was nervous that there were no other individuals in the room with him," Dadis described. "Steven approached me and said he would like to act out a romantic scene. ... I felt uncomfortable because I was in my bikini and I shyly expressed this, except instead of respecting my boundaries, Steven slipped his hand under my bikini top and began pinching my nipples and simultaneously slid his hand over my vaginal area."

"I quickly yelled that this audition is over, and I began gathering my things," she continued. "Steven sat there calmly as if nothing had happened, while I was noticeably upset and terrified by the experience. Steven's security guard stood blocking the doorway and only moved when Steven motioned for him to do so. I left feeling horrified and totally violated."

The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to USA TODAY in January that Seagal is being investigated following Simons' and Dadis' allegations of rape and assault.

Seagal’s attorney, Anthony Falangetti, denied the allegations in a statement to USA TODAY, saying Seagal has not engaged in any such misconduct.

"The allegations that have been made against Mr. Seagal are false and have no substantive material support," the statement reads. "The accounts of both women are completely fictitious and totally made up. The allegations are a disservice to women who are victimized because of real predators in the film industry."

Multiple other women including Jenny McCarthy and Portia de Rossi have come forward with stories of how Seagal harassed them.

McCarthy claims the actor and producer pressed her to undress during a 1995 audition for Under Siege 2, telling her, "You know, this part has nudity in it, and I can't really tell what your body looks like in that dress you're wearing.'" She refused and walked out of the audition, with Seagal threatening her not to tell anyone "or else."

De Rossi said Seagal unzipped his pants during a private office audition; actress Julianna Margulies detailed a similar incident with Seagal when she was 23.

"He told me how important it was to have chemistry off-screen as he sat me down and unzipped his leather pants," de Rossi wrote on Twitter. "I ran out and called my agent."

 

 

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