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Marilyn Manson

Marilyn Manson denies 'Game of Thrones' star Esmé Bianco's allegations of sexual assault

Rasha Ali
USA TODAY

"Game of Thrones" star Esmé Bianco filed a lawsuit Friday accusing Marilyn Manson of sexual assault, sexual battery and human trafficking.

In the complaint filed in California, Bianco details allegations of rape and verbal and physical abuse dating back to 2007.

In a statement provided by her representatives, Bianco said she is aware the legal system isn't perfect, but she filed a lawsuit to hold Manson accountable with the resources available to her.

"For far too long my abuser has been left unchecked, enabled by money, fame and an industry that turned a blind eye. Despite the numerous brave women who have spoken out against Marilyn Manson, countless survivors remain silenced, and some of their voices will never be heard," Bianco's statement read. "My hope is that by raising mine I will help to stop Brian Warner from shattering any more lives and empower other victims to seek their own small measure of justice."

Manson’s attorney called the allegations “provably false.”

Bianco said Manson (whose real name is Brian Warner) started making sexual advances disguised as "jokes" toward her two years after she met him in 2005. It escalated in 2009 when she entered into a relationship with Manson at age 26 after he invited her to star in his music video for "I Want to Kill You Like They Do in the Movies."

Marilyn Manson attends the premiere of "We Are X" at TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on Oct. 3, 2016.

The lawsuit claims he enforced a "dress code" and required Bianco to "sit at his feet during press visits" and "verbally degraded her during interviews."

Bianco alleges Manson persuaded her to move in with him in 2011. He kept the apartment at 63 degrees "in near-total darkness," would play "violent and sexually graphic films" and would berate her if she complained, the lawsuit states. 

The actress' lawsuit detailed times where Manson physically abused her during sex, cutting her "with a Nazi knife," photographing the injuries and posting them online without her consent. She said he would often throw violent tantrums, use "drugs, force, and threats of force to coerce sexual acts" from her and rape her.

Marilyn Manson:Abuse allegations under investigation by LA Sheriff's Department

The lawsuit also accuses Manson's former manager and management company, Tony Ciulla and Ciulla Management Inc., of bearing witness to the abuse, enabling it and benefiting from it.

Bianco says Ciulla and his company coordinated flights and lodging for her and would serve as her "babysitter" when Manson was not around. The lawsuit claims his management company had a "vested interest in supporting his violent tendencies to encourage the creation of his 'art' and the promotion of the brand of Marilyn Manson."

USA TODAY has reached out Ciulla Management for comment.

British actress Esme Bianco arrives for the "Game of Thrones" eighth and final season premiere at Radio City Music Hall on April 3, 2019, in New York.

In February, Bianco joined other celebrities in coming forward about allegations of abuse against Manson.

One week after Evan Rachel Woods alleged Manson "horrifically abused" her "for years," Bianco shared her own account during an interview with New York magazine's "The Cut," where she described the musician as a "monster who almost destroyed me and almost destroyed so many women."

"I basically felt like a prisoner," said Bianco, 38. "I came and went at his pleasure. Who I spoke to was completely controlled by him. I called my family hiding in the closet."

Manson, 52, has faced fallout from the allegations. He was dropped by his recording label Loma Vista Recordings and Creative Artists Agency, according to Variety. AMC Networks also confirmed to USA TODAY that an episode of the horror anthology "Creepshow" featuring Manson will not air. 

In response to the allegations in February, Manson wrote on Instagram that they were “horrible distortions of reality. My intimate relationships have always been entirely consensual with like-minded partners. Regardless of how – and why – others are now choosing to misrepresent the past, that is the truth.”

Los Angeles County sheriff’s detectives also said in February that they were investigating domestic violence allegations against Manson dating from 2009 to 2011 in West Hollywood. They did not identify the woman who made the report.

If you are a survivor of sexual assault, RAINN offers support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE & online.rainn.org). 

Contributing: The Associated Press

Previously:'Game of Thrones' star Esmé Bianco alleges abuse from Marilyn Manson 'almost destroyed me'

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