Lawyer For Magician David Copperfield Denies Client 'Forced Himself' On Woman

Sunday, October 21st 2007, 8:01 pm

By: News On 6

LAS VEGAS (AP) _ Days after FBI agents searched a Las Vegas warehouse belonging to David Copperfield and a casino theater where the magician regularly performs, his lawyer rebutted an allegation that Copperfield ``forced himself'' on a woman.

``An unidentified woman has made serious allegations against David Copperfield,'' lawyer David Chesnoff said Friday in a statement.

``It is important these allegations be put into perspective,'' Chesnoff said. ``Although authorities have not revealed her identity to us, we know these allegations are false because David Copperfield has never forced himself on anyone.''

Neither Chesnoff nor law enforcement officials would provide details about the allegation or the warehouse search.

Seattle FBI agent Robbie Burroughs said Thursday that the Las Vegas investigation was part of a Seattle case.

``The Seattle case is pending and that means we can't say anything about it,'' Burroughs said.

FBI agents on Wednesday searched the Hollywood Theater at the MGM Grand casino-hotel, where Copperfield regularly performs, casino spokeswoman Yvette Monet told The Associated Press.

Agents also conducted ``investigative activity'' at a warehouse where Copperfield stores tricks and memorabilia, dubbed the International Museum & Library of Conjuring Arts, FBI agent David Staretz said.

Copperfield, 51, has been a longtime performer at the MGM Grand, where he has performed in six- to eight-week stints several times a year, Monet said.

Copperfield performed two shows Wednesday night, which were at the end of his most recent run, Monet said. Copperfield was next scheduled to perform in Jakarta, Indonesia.