An altercation broke out during an anti-Scientology protest outside a Hollywood restaurant where convicted rapist Danny Masterson took one of his victims and drugged her before assaulting her.
Protesters gathered outside La Poubelle Bistro and Bar on Saturday night, urging customers to stay away from the restaurant whose owner, Francoise Koster, wrote a letter defending Masterson’s character amid her rape trial.
The ‘That 70’s Show’ star was sentenced to 30 years after being found guilty of raping two women, one of whom he drugged at the restaurant before taking her to his Hollywood Hills home.
Saturday’s confrontation began when one of the protesters turned toward a man who was smoking outside the restaurant. —Are you going to support a place where Danny Masterson raped women? -asked the protester.
An anti-Scientology protest outside La Poubelle Bistro and Bar in Hollywood turned into an altercation Saturday night after a customer knocked a protester’s phone out of his hand, leading to an arrest.
La Poubelle has been linked to ‘That 70’s Show’ actor Danny Masterson, who was accused of drugging one of his victims at the restaurant before attacking her at his Hollywood Hills home.
Protesters urged customers to stay away from the restaurant whose owner, Francoise Koster, wrote a letter defending Masterson’s character amid her rape trial.
‘Who is that?’ the man responded. The protester explained that the owner supported the convicted rapist while others butted into the conversation.
At least a dozen protesters surrounded the man, took to the street and surrounded parked vehicles. Several had cameras raised to film the confrontation.
“I already told you,” another protester said, pointing his phone directly at the man, who turned and grabbed the device from his hand.
A fight ensued that ended when Los Angeles police arrived to break up the fight and arrest one of the protesters.
“You guys are so full of shit,” one man yelled at the police. “They assault him and you lock him up.”
The person who turned off the phone was next to one of the patrol cars, shirtless and talking to an officer.
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that they arrested one person for assault, but declined to identify the individual.
Masterson was convicted in May 2023 after a jury found him guilty of two counts of forcible rape. In late December, Masterson was admitted to North Kern State Prison to serve his 30 years to life sentence.
The fight ended when Los Angeles police arrived to break up the fight and arrest one of the protesters.
“You guys are so full of shit,” one man shouted at police as they detained a protester. ‘They assault him and you lock him up’
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that they arrested one person for assault, but declined to identify the individual.
The actor was denied bail last month, with Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo citing flight risk amid his ongoing divorce from Bijou Phillips.
“In light of the fact that the defendant has no wife to return home to, he now has every incentive to flee and little reason to return to state prison and serve the remainder of his lengthy sentence should his appeal fail.” be successful,” Olmedo wrote.
Masterson was arrested in 2020 and accused of raping three women between 2001 and 2003. After his arrest, and during his first two trials, the actor was released on $3 million bail.
Masterson was eventually convicted of raping a 23-year-old girl in April 2003 and a 28-year-old woman that same year. Both victims said he got them drunk before assaulting them at his Hollywood Hills home.
While he was only convicted of two counts of rape, Masterson had several accusers. At least three claimed they were pressured into silence by the Church of Scientology.
The women, identified in court as Chrissy B., Jen B. and N. Trout, were practicing Scientologists when they met the actor through the church.
La Poubelle Bistro featured prominently in the story of Chrissy B., who said thatHe passed out after Masterson served him a drink at the restaurant in 2001.
When he woke up the next morning at the actor’s house, he felt intense pain and Masterson told him they had sex.
The damning allegations were laid out in a letter written to a Scientology official who appeared at the trial.
Masterson was convicted in May 2023 after a jury found him guilty of two counts of forcible rape. He was considered a flight risk amid his ongoing divorce from actress and model Bijou Phillips (left).
Masterson was arrested in 2020 and accused of raping three women between 2001 and 2003. He was ultimately only convicted of two charges.
La Poubelle’s owner, Koster, is a close friend of Masterson and a strong advocate, even appearing in court to support him.
Court documents describe her as “a restaurateur who has had a three-decade friendship with Danny.”
In the character reference, written on August 11, 2023, Koster praised his relationship with his daughter and his commitment to his then-wife, Bijou Philips, following his kidney failure diagnosis.
The restaurateur described herself as a Buddhist with an upbringing rooted in the Los Angeles community through her family restaurant.
“In the three decades of our friendship, I have had the honor of witnessing Danny’s extraordinary qualities and the profound impact he has on those around him,” Koster wrote.
‘I am aware that Danny was convicted of multiple force by rape, but as you contemplate Danny’s circumstances, I urge you to reflect on these facets of his character. His commitment as a father, husband, son, brother and friend.’