Luster Victim Testifies in Civil Court

One of Andrew Luster’s rape victims testified during an hourlong civil trial Monday, telling a judge that the wealthy playboy ruined her life when he drugged and sexually assaulted her in front of a video camera.

The woman, identified as Shawna Doe, testified that she was unaware she had been raped until detectives investigating an unrelated sexual assault showed her a videotape of the incident.

The tape, labeled “Shawna GHBing,” was found three years ago during a search of Luster’s beach home in Mussel Shoals. It shows him undressing her and twice engaging in sexual intercourse as she lies unconscious on his bed.

The 23-year-old victim, who is now suing Luster for millions of dollars in damages, testified Monday that the images are seared in her memory and have led to ongoing therapy for depression and anxiety.

“I don’t remember the last time I was genuinely happy,” she said, crying. “There is not a day that goes by that I don’t remember what’s on that video. It’s really disturbing.”

Luster, the 39-year-old great-grandson of cosmetics legend Max Factor, was convicted in January of raping three women, including Doe, after knocking them out with a potent anesthetic known as gamma hydroxybutyrate, or GHB.

Two of the victims sued and are seeking unspecified damages for assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress and humiliation. Doe’s case is the first to go to trial.

On Monday, Beverly Hills attorney Barry Novack called her as his sole witness and submitted the case on evidence that included Luster’s criminal conviction, a deposition from his client’s therapist and a copy of the rape videotape.

No attorney was present for Luster, who is serving a 124-year sentence at a state prison near Salinas. Civil attorney Frank Lizarraga left the case in May, four months after Luster fled his criminal trial and was declared a fugitive. Luster was apprehended in Mexico in mid-June.

During his five months on the run, Luster failed to respond to civil filings in the two cases, including requests for information about his finances.

Luster also failed to respond to a list, prepared by Novack, of 42 alleged admissions, including assertions that he is Factor’s great-grandson, that his net worth is more than $20 million and that he drugged Doe and forced sex on her while she was unconscious.

With no response from Luster, Novack asked Ventura County Superior Court Judge Fred Bysshe to deem the admissions true for purposes of trial, and Bysshe agreed. The judge is expected to issue a ruling in the case in the coming days.