Megadeth bassist David Ellefson was accused of grooming after an exchange leaked of him interacting with a young woman. However, the musician has refuted the claims saying that the video is “embarrassing” but insists that it doesn’t tell the full story.
Ellefson has been married for 27 years, and the leaked communication between himself and a woman (who is not his wife) is intimate in nature. While some viewers of the leaked content have assumed the woman in question is underage, Ellefson has assured that she is not and has said the interaction was consensual.
Megadeth addressed the issue in a statement.
“We are aware of the recent statements regarding David Ellefson, and are watching developments closely.
“As it relates to creativity and business, we are all familiar with one another. However, there are clearly aspects of David’s private life that he has kept to himself.
“As this situation unfolds, it is important that all voices be heard clearly and respectfully. We look forward to the truth coming to light,” the metal band said.
Ellefson also addressed the issue himself on Instagram.
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“As you may or not know, some private and personal conversations and interactions have surfaced online, released with ill intention by a third party who was not authorized to have them or share them,” Ellefson said. “While certainly embarrassing, I want to address it as openly and honestly as possible. As much as it’s not something I’m proud of, these were private, adult interactions that were taken out of context and manipulated to inflict maximum damage to my reputation my career and family.”
The woman involved in the exchanges has also come forward on Instagram and confirmed that she was “always a consenting adult” and that the acts were “consensual”.
“Yes, those video calls did happen, but I was the one to initiate it and never was I underage, I was always a consenting adult. Nothing inappropriate ever happened before that. It was all consensual, I’m not a victim and I have not been groomed in the slightest as I was the one to initiate it,” the woman stated.
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