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One of Marilyn Manson's accusers has been questioned by a judge about why it took her so long to sue the musician.
Ashley Walters, a former assistant of Manson—whose real name is Brian Warner—sued the musician for sexual assault, battery and harassment in 2021. She is among a number of women, including actresses Evan Rachel Wood and Esme Bianco, who are pursuing legal action against the shock rocker. Manson has denied the allegations.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael L. Stern has now said that Walters must explain why she waited so long to file a case against Manson.
Walters, 37, worked with and for Manson Records from May 2010 to October 2011 and alleges the singer sexually abused and battered her multiple times.
Now, the judge has questioned why she did not file her lawsuit until May 2021.
According to court documents seen by Newsweek, Stern wrote: "Reading the first amended complaint as a whole, (Walters) pleads that (she) was aware of the actions against her by the time she left her employment. Thus, nine to 10 years passed until the filing of the action, far beyond the two-year limitations periods of her claims."
According to the judge, Walters' "sexual assault cause of action as pleaded is not subject to the most recent amendment providing for a ten-year limitations' period as this revision is not retroactive."
He ordered Walters to file an amended complaint by March 11.
In her lawsuit, per The Cut, Walters' attorneys wrote that Manson "used his position of power, celebrity and connections to exploit and victimize" his then staff member and that he "lured Ms. Walters into employment with promises of artistic collaborations and creative opportunities."
Walters' lawyers said that Manson "was looking to create an environment where [Walters] was subjected to personal and professional sexual exploitation, manipulation and psychological abuse."
The "Tainted Love" singer has denied all allegations against him.
He wrote in a statement on Instagram in 2021: "My intimate relationships have always been entirely consensual with like-minded partners. Regardless of how—and why—others are now choosing to misrepresent the past, that is the truth."
The 53-year-old is facing up to four lawsuits accusing him of sexual assault, battery and harassment. An investigation into allegations of domestic violence incidents by the Los Angeles County sheriff's department is also underway and his home was raided in November 2021.
Manson was dropped by his record label, Loma Vista, after allegations were made public in 2020.
