Los Angeles DJ/producer/promoter William Bensussen (a.k.a. The Gaslamp Killer) has been accused of rape by Twitter user @chelseaelaynne. In addition to his DJ sets and production work, The Gaslamp Killer, along with Daddy Kev, is the co-founder of LA club-night Low End Theory which showcases underground artists alongside established names such as Thom Yorke and Erykah Badu.
On Twitter the accuser claims she and her friend RaeAn met Bensussen four years ago at the Standard Hotel in Los Angeles and were drugged by Bensussen. She alleges that Bensussen had non-consensual sex with them while they were impaired.
“We went to the bathroom together, TGK handed us two drinks. That is the last clear memory I have, and that was our first drink of the day. After that, everything is pitch black except for a few sharp but at the same time blurry, memories.” She added that he’s tried to surpress the memory for the past few years. “I buried it as deep as I could.”
The accusations against Bensussen come after film executive Harvey Weinstein was fired from his job at Miramar in lieu of a New York Times article that chronicled years of abhorrent behavior toward actresses, including him allegedly raping Rose McGowan. Police in the US and UK police have launched investigations into sexual assault allegations against Weinstein.
Bensussen has yet to make a statement about the charges leveled against him. More on this story as it develops.
i've been silently suffering over this for many years. the gaslamp killer drugged and raped my best friend and myself 4 years ago pic.twitter.com/yvJM5HEJay
— chelsea (@chelseaelaynne) October 13, 2017
Update: Bensussen has released a statement about the allegations:
My name is William,
I think it’s important that I be a part of this conversation. Firstly, I want it to be known that I would never hurt or endanger a woman. I would never drug a woman, and I would never put anyone in a situation where they were not in control, or take anything that they weren’t offering. Consent is intimate, and has left room for people who were not present to wonder what happened. In this case consent was between three people, in the form of an offer which I accepted. Allegations carry a lot of weight on social media these days, and the bravery of women who expose their stories can create necessary dialogue that leads to real change. But Chelsea’s version of this story is not true. I am thankful that I have been contacted by witnesses and my roommates at the time, in support. Please know that while I am shocked, I take this all very seriously. It is all so sensitive and needs to be treated with the utmost care and attention.
Sincerely,
William.
In lieu of recent events, BEMF canceled Low End Theory’s showcase. LET also announced they had parted ways with Bensussen.
Official statement pic.twitter.com/qybnX4bdem
— Low End Theory (@LOWENDTHEORY) October 13, 2017
Brainfeeder posted a statement, noting that GLK isn’t currently signed to the label.
Official Statement pic.twitter.com/4ibTSGeqFL
— BRAINFEEDER (@BRAINFEEDER) October 13, 2017