‘Riverdance’ star faces suit
“Riverdance” star Michael Flatley is being sued for $35 million by a woman who claims he raped her in a Las Vegas hotel.
The lawsuit was filed in Illinois on Tuesday on behalf of a Chicago-area real estate agent who says she flew to Las Vegas to visit Flatley in October. The suit alleges the woman, whose name was not revealed, was in her private bedroom area of Flatley’s suite at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino when he raped her.
For the record:
12:00 a.m. March 8, 2003 For The Record
Los Angeles Times Saturday March 08, 2003 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 44 words Type of Material: Correction
Michael Flatley -- A Quick Takes item in Thursday’s Calendar Weekend about a lawsuit against Michael Flatley mistakenly referred to him as the star of “Riverdance.” Flatley was the original star of “Riverdance” and helped choreograph the show but left the production in 1996.
Flatley’s lawyer, Bert Fields, called the allegations “absolutely false.” He said the woman threatened months ago to claim Flatley had raped her unless he paid her, which he refused to do.
Lt. Jeff Carlson of the Las Vegas Police Department said Wednesday that the woman reported the alleged attack but declined to press charges.