Magician David Copperfield is facing accusations of sexual misconduct by 16 women, including many of whom were underage and three who claim to have been drugged during the time of the alleged incidents, the Guardian reports.
The alleged incidents are reported to have taken place between the late 1980s and 2014, with more than half of the victims -- several who spoke on the condition of anonymity - claiming they initially met Copperfield, 67, during his shows. Three victims claimed they were groped onstage by Copperfield during live performances, while another said the magician took her hand, placed it on his butt and forced her to squeeze it.
Five of the women claimed Copperfield would speak with them and their families after making phone calls to their landlines. Two women, one who was 15 years old and another who was in her 20s at the times of their alleged incidents, respectively, had previously used their real names in an earlier story and later wanted their claims removed after the Guardian approached Copperfield with questions regarding the allegations.
The magician denied all the allegations of misconduct and inappropriate behavior, claiming he "never, ever acted inappropriately with anyone, let alone anyone underage" in a statement through his attorneys obtained by the Guardian.
Copperfield's attorneys called the accusations "false and entirely without foundation," claiming that the alleged inappropriate behavior against woman “is the opposite of everything he stands for and works hard for.” The attorneys also said Copperfield “has no intention of indulging what he considers to be a fishing expedition by your journalists" when asked if he had ever offered or paid settlements to alleged victims of sexual misconduct.