Brett Ratner sues woman for libel over rape accusation made on Facebook

Director Brett Ratner has filed a libel lawsuit in Hawaii against a woman who, in an October 20 Facebook post, accused him of raping her.

In the post, Melanie Kohler said Ratner “was a rapist on at least one night in Hollywood about 12 years ago,” and that he “preyed on me as a drunk girl [and] forced himself upon me,” according to quoted excerpts in the lawsuit, a copy of which was obtained by TheWrap.

Filed in Hawaii federal court via Ratner’s attorney, Eric Seitz, the suit “contends that the Defendant’s aforementioned statement is entirely false, fabricated and fictional.” The lawsuit also asserts that Kohler’s statement was published “with knowledge of its falsity, maliciously, and with the intent to harm plaintiff’s reputation and standing.”

Also Read:Brett Ratner Accused of Sexual Misconduct by 6 Women Including Olivia Munn, Natasha Henstridge

The suit seeks special and general damages, punitive damages, and reimbursement of court costs.

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The libel lawsuit comes on the same day as an explosive Los Angeles Times story in which six women accused him of sexual misconduct ranging from harassment to assault, among them actresses Olivia Munn and Natasha Henstridge. In the wake of the allegations, Playboy halted development of a Hugh Hefner biopic Ratner was to direct, and Ratner announced he would “step away” from his relationship with Warner Bros. Shortly after, individuals with knowledge of the situation told TheWrap that the studio would not be renewing its first look deal with Ratner.

Read original story Brett Ratner Sues Woman for Libel Over Rape Accusation Made on Facebook At TheWrap