DAVID COPPERFIELD

The 51-year-old magician is at the centre of an FBI investigation after a Seattle, Washington woman accused him of raping her in the Bahamas.

On Saturday (27Oct07), the Seattle Times credited its grand jury investigation story to three nameless law enforcement officials - and Copperfield's lawyer David Handoff is furious.

He says, "David Copperfield has never struck, forced himself or threatened any woman. If some woman told anyone that he did, then she is not being truthful.

"We have been asked to respect the confidentiality of the investigation, but clearly law enforcement officials are not doing the same. At least three federal officials have been cited as sources in a Saturday Seattle Times story containing information about allegations being made.

"This not only unfairly and falsely defames my client, but it undermines the integrity of the entire investigation.

"It is very hurtful for him to hear and read these horrible, untrue allegations being made against him by a still unnamed woman.

"As I have previously said, David Copperfield has never forced himself on any woman. He is not that type of person. He is a true gentleman in every sense of the word."

Source: WENN