Brian Warner, a.k.a. Marilyn Manson, has settled the federal lawsuit filed by actress Esmé Bianco in 2021, Rolling Stone reports and Pitchfork can confirm. Bianco had accused the musician of sexual assault and sexual battery.
In a statement provided to Pitchfork, Warner’s attorney Howard King said “Ms. Bianco has agreed to resolve her claims against Brian Warner and Marilyn Manson Records, Inc.” Pitchfork has reached out to representatives for Bianco for comment.
Earlier this month, a California court dismissed without prejudice Ashley Morgan Smithline’s 2021 lawsuit against Warner for sexual assault, sexual battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, unlawful imprisonment, and more. Last May a judge dismissed another lawsuit filed by Warner’s former assistant due to the statute of limitations—the woman had accused him of sexual assault, battery, and harassment.
Warner remains engaged in a suit against Evan Rachel Wood for defamation; Wood publicly named him as her abuser in 2021 and detailed her experiences in the documentary Phoenix Rising. The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office is currently reviewing the results of an investigation by the Sheriff’s Department’s Special Victims Bureau into sexual assault allegations against Warner.
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual assault, we encourage you to reach out for support:
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline
http://www.rainn.org
1 800 656 HOPE (4673)
Crisis Text Line
SMS: Text “HELLO” or “HOLA” to 741-741