A woman from Seattle has filed a lawsuit against David Copperfield, claiming that the multi-millionaire magician has assaulted her and threatened to kill her on his private island in the Bahamas. Copperfield, on the other hand, claimed that the lawsuit is an “extortion for money, plain and simple. Unfortunately, false claims like this only hurt the women who really have been abused, women who really need our help.”

The 22-year-old woman, who is a former Miss Washington contestant and fashion model, has said on papers filed in court on July 29 that she met the 52-year-old Copperfield at a performance in Kennewick in January 2007 That summer, she says she was invited to the island, where the alleged sexual assault took place. She claimed that “Copperfield … attacked and sexually assaulted her” and “threatened to kill her,” despite her attempts to fight him off, which left her “extremely traumatized.”

Copperfield responds saying that his accuser “has a history of lying … which continues in this lawsuit.” He added, “The facts are that there were more than 20 women and men on the island during her visit. The allegation that there was no one on the island to help her – even if she needed help – is preposterous.”

In 2007, a 21-year-old woman claimed, she met the illusionist at a show. One thing led to another and she wound up on Copperfield’s $50 million private Bahamian retreat. The FBI then investigated Copperfield (real name: David Seth Kotkin). At the time, a lawyer for the magician confirmed the investigation, but added, “If in fact those are the allegations, unfortunately false allegations are all too often made against famous individuals. But we are confident the investigation will conclude favorably.”