Earlier this week, Megadeth officially split with co-founder David Ellefson after the bassist become wrapped up in a sexual misconduct scandal. Now Ellefson has issued a response to his very public and very disgraceful dismissal, continuing to deny any claims that he had been "grooming" an underage fan.
"Recently, a very private video was illegally posted on the internet and false allegations were made against me," Ellefson said in a statement to Rolling Stone. "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."
He then added: "I am taking this time to be with my family. I wish my bandmates the best with their upcoming tour."
As previously reported, 56-year-old Ellefson issued an earlier statement this month on his Instagram over the allegations, though he soon deleted it. The statement came in response to claims he was grooming an underage girl after a number of graphic exchanges appeared online involving Ellefson and the woman.
He has claimed that their interactions were consensual and that the allegations were "released with ill intention by a third party." His initial statement said the leaked content was "certainly embarrassing," adding that the whole thing has been "taken out of context and manipulated to inflict maximum damage to my reputation my career and family."
Ellefson's initial statement included one from the woman said to be in the videos. She wrote: "Yes, those video calls did happen but I was the one to initiate them 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."
Despite the lineup troubles, Megadeth are still scheduled to perform alongside Lamb of God, Trivium and In Flames on their extensive North American tour. Those dates include a number of shows in Canada.
"Recently, a very private video was illegally posted on the internet and false allegations were made against me," Ellefson said in a statement to Rolling Stone. "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."
He then added: "I am taking this time to be with my family. I wish my bandmates the best with their upcoming tour."
As previously reported, 56-year-old Ellefson issued an earlier statement this month on his Instagram over the allegations, though he soon deleted it. The statement came in response to claims he was grooming an underage girl after a number of graphic exchanges appeared online involving Ellefson and the woman.
He has claimed that their interactions were consensual and that the allegations were "released with ill intention by a third party." His initial statement said the leaked content was "certainly embarrassing," adding that the whole thing has been "taken out of context and manipulated to inflict maximum damage to my reputation my career and family."
Ellefson's initial statement included one from the woman said to be in the videos. She wrote: "Yes, those video calls did happen but I was the one to initiate them 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."
Despite the lineup troubles, Megadeth are still scheduled to perform alongside Lamb of God, Trivium and In Flames on their extensive North American tour. Those dates include a number of shows in Canada.