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David Blaine: Magician under investigation over accusations he sexually assaulted at least two women

This is not the first time the 45-year-old illusionist faced sexual assault allegations

Sarah Harvard
New York
Tuesday 02 April 2019 07:29 BST
Magician David Blaine speaks during at Liberty Science Center on May 5, 2017 in Jersey City, New Jersey
Magician David Blaine speaks during at Liberty Science Center on May 5, 2017 in Jersey City, New Jersey (Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Liberty Science Center)

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Illusionist David Blaine is currently the subject of an active investigation in New York over sexual assault allegations, the New York Police Department confirmed.

Detective Chief Dermot Shea confirmed the Mr Blaine’s involvement in the Special Victims Unit’s investigation during a press conference on Monday.

NYPD detectives have taken statements from two women who accused the magician for sexual misconduct, but it appears that one of the claims might fall outside the statute of limitations, the Daily Beast reported.

One of the women told the authorities that Mr Blaine, 45, sexually assaulted her inside his apartment in Manhattan in 1998.

Mr Blaine has not yet been charged with a crime. He told the Daily Beast that he has not yet been contacted or approached by the police regarding the investigation.

The police did not comment during the press conference on Monday on whether or not detectives will be looking into interviewing Mr Blaine.

This is not the first time the 45-year-old illusionist faced sexual assault allegations. A former model accused Mr Blaine of raping her in London in 2004, but he has denied the allegations.

The Scotland Yard later declined to move forward with her case after investigating her claim.

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