The rapes took place in Masterson’s home in Hollywood in 2003, when the star was at the peak of his career after the breakthrough in the television series “That 70’s show”, which was shown on TV4 in Sweden.
Danny Masterson with his wife Bijou Phillips during the trial in May. Archive image.
Masterson was acquitted of a third count of another rape, but still faces a lengthy sentence when he is sentenced on Thursday. Prosecutors argued during the trial that Danny Masterson used his position within the Church of Scientology to exploit the women, who were also members of the controversial movement.
Masterson’s victims testified during the trial that they were warned by church leaders not to talk to the police about the abuse. But in connection with the start of the metoo movement in 2017, the women came forward and the police began an investigation that led to charges.
After a first trial last November, the jury could not agree on a verdict and the process had to be redone.