Copperfield's Bahama Mamas

Copperfield's Bahama Mamas

You report, "The woman then went to the U.S. Attorney's Office, which asked
the FBI to investigate." I'm not doubting this, but when I once went to the US
Attorney's office in Boston one of the Assistant Attorneys told me that they do
not take complaints. He told me that the FBI refers matters to them for
prosecution. I believed then it was because they did not want to get involved in
a matter of Harvard University violating US law.
The Office of Human Research Protection (NIH) is supposed to protect
humans used for US taxpayer funded medical experiments. Under OHRP regulations
complaints they get are referred to the institution accused of wrongdoing. I've
seen this in action when 7 persons died in gene therapy trials in Boston
(Harvard teaching hospitals). I asked the police if I were accused of homicide
would I be allowed to do my own investigation? That is the sorry state of
affairs under OHRP regulations. I was surprised to read your report of how this
matter got to the FBI.

Roy Bercaw, Editor ENOUGH ROOM

David Copperfield owns a Bahamanian island.
Grand jury investigates Copperfield allegations
By Mike Carter
Seattle Times staff reporter

A Seattle federal grand jury is investigating allegations by an aspiring model
from Washington who said she was raped, assaulted and threatened by magician
David Copperfield at his private island in the Bahamas in July, at least three
federal law-enforcement officials have confirmed.

The Washington woman has told law enforcement that she and her family were
approached at a Jan. 25 performance in the Tri-Cities area by a member of
Copperfield's entourage almost as soon as they entered the auditorium. They were
led to special seats, and Copperfield selected the woman to come on stage as
part of his act, the federal sources said.

Sources confirmed that the woman told investigators Copperfield later promised
he could help with her modeling career and invited her to his isolated $50
million private retreat at Musha Cay, in a tiny string of white-sand islands 85
miles southeast of Nassau, Bahamas.

She told investigators Copperfield assured her that there would be other guests
at the 150-acre resort, which is restricted to a maximum of 24 guests and rents
for up to $50,000 a night. From Nassau, the retreat is accessible only by
charter plane and then private boat.

When the woman, 21, made the trip in late July -- after exchanging e-mails with
Copperfield, 51 -- she found herself the only guest on the island with him, she
told investigators. She has told Seattle police, and later the FBI, that
Copperfield raped and struck her during her two days on the island, said sources
familiar with her allegations.

She said that, afterward, Copperfield threatened her, telling her she'd better
keep quiet, and then escorted her onto a plane, sources said.

Copperfield's attorney, David Chesnoff of Las Vegas, reiterated Friday that
"Copperfield has never forced himself on anyone."

After leaving Nassau, the woman flew to Florida and then Seattle, where she told
her family what happened and went to the Harborview Center for Sexual Assault
and Traumatic Stress, sources said. A rape kit was assembled, and a federal
source has confirmed that some of her clothing was taken into evidence.

The woman also reported the matter to Seattle police, who said a report was
taken but will not release it. Federal sources and others said the woman was
told that the department had no jurisdiction to investigate a crime that
occurred in another country, and that the department took no other action.

The woman then went to the U.S. Attorney's Office, which asked the FBI to
investigate. The woman and her family live in Washington and, because her trip
began and ended in the U.S. -- even though the alleged crime occurred elsewhere
-- federal agents have claimed jurisdiction in the case.

Emily Langlie, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office, said the office
would not comment. Two of the office's top prosecutors have been assigned to
oversee the investigation and evidence is being presented to a grand jury,
according to law-enforcement sources. No indictment or criminal charges have
been filed.

Chesnoff, Copperfield's attorney, said Friday he could not comment on the
allegations.

"We have said we are going to honor the confidentiality of the investigation,"
he said, adding that he was disappointed that some in law enforcement have
chosen not to do the same. "Apparently [they] don't have the same respect for
the law, and it casts doubt on the integrity of this investigation."

The Seattle office of the FBI, which is heading the investigation, raided
Copperfield's property warehouse and magic museum in Las Vegas last week. The
search warrant remains sealed.

Mike Carter: 206-464-3706 or mcarter@seattletimes.com