Earlier this week, Megadeth fired David Ellefson amidst the bass player’s ongoing sex scandal.
That scandal began earlier this month after an Instagram user, identified only as ‘woahworst,’ started sharing accusations that Ellefson had groomed an underage girl. As proof, they offered extremely explicit video of Ellefson masturbating during a video chat, as well as screen caps of text exchanges between Ellefson and the young woman in question. The woman provided a statement indicating that while the relationship did take place, she was not underage at the time and it was consensual.
In a statement announcing Ellefson’s dismissal, Megadeth said that ““While we do know every detail of what occurred, with an already strained relationship, what has already been revealed now is enough to make working together impossible moving forward.”
Now Ellefson has released a statement of his own to Rolling Stone, in which he once again denies that the woman in the videos is underage, and indicates that he is pursuing legal action against the video’s leaker.
You can read Ellefson’s entire statement below.
Megadeth begin a tour with Lamb of God, Trivium, and In Flames in August. No word yet on who will replace Ellefson, although we have some suggestions.
“Recently, a very private video was illegally posted on the internet and false allegations were made against me. The actions in the video were between two consenting adults and were recorded without my knowledge. I am working with Scottsdale Police Department in their investigation into charges regarding revenge pornography to be filed against the person who posted this video. Also, my lawyers are preparing a defamation lawsuit to be filed against this person. This person will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I am taking this time to be with my family. I wish my bandmates the best with their upcoming tour.”
[via Lambgoat]