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Former ‘Gossip Girl’ Actor Ed Westwick Will Not Be Charged Over Sexual Assault Claims
Former Gossip Girl star Ed Westwick will not be charged in three separate sexual assault cases. According to legal docs obtained by Radar Online, three alleged victims accused the actor of misconduct in 2014 but only two provided witnesses. Prosecutors also said these witnesses could not provide sufficient evidence.
Back in March, a fourth accuser had stepped forward. Haley Freedman filed a police report against the actor, who continued to deny the rape allegations against him.
“I can confirm Haley filed a police report on Wednesday, regarding allegations that Ed Westwick raped her,” her rep told Us Weekly at the time. Haley was the latest to accuse Ed, 31, of sexual assault, joining Kristina Cohen, Aurélie Wynn, and Rachel Eck.
Rachel told BuzzFeed on Nov. 14 that the incident took place the night before the Academy Awards in 2014. Rachel claims she met up with Ed and her ex-boyfriend, film producer Kaine Harling, at a villa in West Hollywood at about 2:30 a.m., but that whenever her boyfriend left the room, Ed would “try to kiss me or kind of push me up against a wall.”
Rachel stated that she told Kaine what happened, but that he brushed off her allegations. When she went to leave, Ed said he wanted to apologize, but “then pulled me onto the bed and aggressively groped [my] breasts. I shoved him off as quickly as I could and left.” Her story came out just days after actresses Kristina and Aurélie accused Ed of rape.
“I said no and he pushed me face down and was powerless under his weight. I was wearing a one-piece bathing suit that he ripped, I was in complete shock, I am also very tiny,” Aurélie, who met Ed at a party, wrote. “When it was over I got my cell phone and found that the girl that had invited me had left or got kicked out… and had to get another friend to get me an Uber out of there while Ed was passed out.”
Aurélie said she was once afraid to reveal her story because friends told her that “no one would believe me and think I was just out trying to get my 10 seconds of fame.” However, after Kristina, 27, came forward, she was inspired to speak out.
“I believe you Kristina Cohen and thank you for speaking up so eloquently and really encompassing what young female actresses have to go through at the hands of men like Ed Westwick,” she continued. “Without you, I would not have had the strength to speak up publicly about my ordeal.”
In her own Facebook post, Kristina detailed her disturbing encounter with Ed, which allegedly took place three years ago, at the actor’s house. Kristina met Ed through a producer she was briefly dating at the time.
According to the post, Kristina was immediately uncomfortable after Ed suggested the trio “all f–k,” but was encouraged to stay by her boyfriend. Kristina went to take a nap in his guest room but was soon woken by Ed on top of her.
“I told him to stop, but he was strong,” the Ladies Like Us star wrote. “I fought him off as hard as I could but he grabbed my face in his hands, shaking me, telling me he wanted to f–k me. I was paralyzed, terrified. I couldn’t speak, I could no longer move. He held me down and raped me.”
She continued, “It was a nightmare, and the days following weren’t any better.” She went on to explain that her decision to remain silent was due to her then boyfriend’s claims that the allegations would ruin her acting career and she would be labeled “that girl.” She also explained how her mother was dying of cancer at the time and she did not have the support system to “deal with the aftermath of the rape.”
Ed responded to Kristina’s allegations, denying he ever came into contact with his accuser. “I do not know this woman,” he wrote on social media. “I have never forced myself in any manner, on any woman. I certainly have never committed rape.”
He posted a follow-up statement not long after Aurélie’s allegations made headlines. “It is disheartening and sad to me that as a result of two unverified and provably untrue social media claims, there are some in this environment who could ever conclude I have had anything to do with such vile and horrific conduct,” he wrote. “I have absolutely not, and I am cooperating with the authorities so that they can clear my name as soon as possible.” He has deleted all posts related to the situation.
If you need support, The National Sexual Assault Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-656-4673. You will be connected with a trained staff member in your area. Or visit RAINN.org to chat online one-on-one with a support specialist at any time.
