Lawsuit Reinstated

A lawsuit filed against musician Marilyn Manson, whose real name is Brian Hugh Warner, has been reinstated by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge. The lawsuit was initially dismissed in December 2021 because it exceeded the statute of limitations.

However, plaintiff Ashley Walters requested reconsideration in January 2022. She cited a new law that established a two-year window for sexual assault cases that had previously expired under the statute. Judge Steve Cochran, who initially dismissed the case, accepted its reinstatement.

"I do think the statute revives the claim."

Allegations and Legal History

Ashley Walters, a former assistant to Manson, alleges sexual assault during her employment at his Manson Records between 2010 and 2011. She also claims that Warner boasted about raping women and showed her a video depicting the abuse of a minor girl.

Manson's lawyer, Howard King, stated that the lawsuit is expected to fail.

King asserted that Walters has no pending claims for sexual assault as defined in the penal code, which is required under the new law, and is not permitted to add new claims. He maintained that Mr. Warner "never committed any sexual assault."

Related Accusations and Legal Actions

Several other women have accused Manson of sexual abuse and assault:

• Actor Esmé Bianco previously sued Manson, and that case has been settled.
• Actor Evan Rachel Wood was sued by Manson for defamation; however, a judge dismissed significant sections of the suit, and Manson subsequently dropped the case, agreeing to pay Wood’s attorney fees.
• Another sexual assault and domestic violence case against Manson, dating from 2009 to 2011, was dismissed in January 2025 due to statute of limitations issues.

Last year, a UK concert for Manson's "One Assassination Under God Tour" was canceled following pressure from campaign groups and a Member of Parliament.